What an overtake by Nepa at turn 4! I’ve been insulting him all day, since the end of the race, for not showing who he really is, for not showing it after all this time spent with us…we look at each other and smile.
It’s Sunday evening. The last dinner, the last race, Valencia: the last dance.
The World Championship has always wrapped things up here, except for last year, when the flooding forced a change of plans.
It’s Sunday evening, the time for goodbyes, for the unsaid “thank you”, for tighter hugs, for the raised glasses…even though, to be honest, we had already started celebrating yesterday, when my daughter – who manages the hospitality – organized a flash party without my permission.
I want to say something to Nepa – “Maybe we need the press-release filter?!”, Grana jumps in (referring to the fact that our press releases are published only after my wife reviews them). You’re really fast. You just need to believe in it a bit more, and trust a bit more the people who care about you and work with you. Instinct is good, but sometimes the experience of a team can make the difference. Use it.
Regarding Luca, instead, I first want to congratulate his parents. Polite, kind…rare qualities, not something you can take for granted. And then yes, he is strong, he is tough, someone who will go far.
It’s really been a pleasure having you with us. Good luck with everything, guys!
Now let’s raise a toast! To each member of this team, each one an important piece:
To Juan, who has been with us since the CEV days and left the engineering career in a big company to follow us in the World Championship.
To Diego, who is a real mechanic, in every sense of the word, one of those covered in grease, an old-school mechanic, an engine wizard.
To the reliable Moreno, loyal to Sic since the 250 class days.
To Luca Pasini, whose experience with mini bikes, real riders and the box is an added value for this team.
To Davide, brought here on Marco’s recommendation, from the technical school at the Misano circuit, I have to admit, it really was good advice.
To Mandi, the group’s wise one.
To Armando, a perfect new entry.
To Nicole, who in two years learned more than she ever imagined, and more than I imagined.
To Riccardo, who – in his parents’ words – “thank you for turning him into a man”.
To Kate who, with my wife’s help, is my “censored” press release filter: without them I would have been arrested already.
To Sanzio, who is not here with us, but works from home, the “Saibaba”, the “guru”, the man of Sic’s darkest moments.
To Marco Grana, one of the most solid pillars among all the pillars.
Even though she wouldn’t want me to say it, because she claims I’m not impartial, sponsors don’t lie:
they swear she always manages to satisfy everyone. Let’s raise a toast to Martina, my daughter who, together with the hurricane Guillem, who, I would have never guessed, is actually good in the kitchen, runs the entire hospitality.
To my wife Rossella, who has been dealing with me for 50 years…no wait, sorry, it’s me dealing with her!
I’m increasingly happy with this team, year after year. Because we grow, we improve, we believe in it. Always, no matter what. Thanks for all this time together.
And let me say… “A sem’ trop fort”
-PaoloSic58-