Since the time Sic made us dream, and it happened twice on this circuit, Jerez has never been a just another round. For us, it’s the race closest to our hearts.
We won here again with the talented Arbolino or, as I used to call him “the artist”, and again we had a double podium with the enthusiasm of Antonelli and Suzuki…Jerez has always had a good scent. Of those that stays with you. Even though the weather was unpredictable this year, the sinuous curves of this circuit showed all the qualities to make you love it. It’s true, when you are in love you only see the good sides and for us Jerez will always be like a first love, an old flame that never fades.
For instance, Casey, after many years racing on this circuit finally managed to enjoy himself. He showed that he still has to improve, but also that he has what it takes to do it. Leo, on the other hand, needs to stop being in catch-up mode. Races are not built on Sunday, but from the first Friday session. If you always start behind, sooner or later the bill comes.
Inside the paddock, for the first time, all the teams had a box, no one was in a tent. I can’t tell you whether it was for their logistical needs or not. The point is that, at a time when Moto2 and Moto3 are starting to be annoying and there is a talk of a new era, of a paddock separated from MotoGP, this weekend was good. Good because it reminded the world that, in the history of motorcycles… we are there too.
The race started badly, very badly: Leo’s bike got stuck on the grid. It was a technical problem, parts have already been sent back to Honda and we’ll see who will have to take responsibility. When these things happen it’s always disappointing, everyone looks at each other, someone tries to explain, someone to justify…everyone does their own thinking. But the truth is simple: Leo didn’t collect race kilometres. And I’m not talking about results… I’m talking about being there, in the race, lap after lap. Because racing is experience and the track is the best school there is.
Casey, on his side, has to learn to be tougher, he fought throughout the race bouncing between 11th and 12th position…beginners all have the same problem, they don’t understand that the race is long and it is pointless to keep overtaking each other, especially at the beginning. The tyres wear out quickly and the leading group gets away.
We made an important debut: the hospitality with Martina and Lorenzo. This year we will manage it entirely ourselves. I’m really proud of it, because everything went how it was supposed to.
Right after the race in Jerez, we also had two days of testing. And there it became clear that Leo’s problem during the race was not a coincidence: the new engine did the same thing again. We will now wait for instructions from the factory.
We are only telling this today, a few days later, because of the many commitments, including our traditional and always exciting “Motoincontro del Sic” in Misano, one of those moments you never get used to.
And now, ladies and gentleman, a moment of attention. We have more good news, the kind that goes straight to the heart.
At Sic58 a new entry is on the way: Vanessa, Marco Grana’s girlfriend is expecting a baby boy.
Well, we are already waiting for him. A wrench in one hand and a helmet in the other…the talent, the kind you can’t buy, is already in the house…Grana has always been a fast one, even now that he’s a bit “older”.
Whether he chooses two or four wheels does not change much. We’ll be there. Ready to be woken up by a roaring engine…or by that smell of braking that fills your nose and reminds you, without any need for explanation, why we are still here.
-PaoloSic58-