I really thought Lunetta would be ready for the Austrian GP, but I was too optimistic.
So… after trying Lennoxx Geronimo in the Sachsenring-Brno double, I then bet on Casey O’Gorman for Austria-Hungary, and honestly, they were the only satisfactions of the last GPs.
Casey started well from the very beginning, a kid forged by CEV races and grown under the wing of Team Monlau. He raced calmly, showing a good temperament, a solid preparation and, let me say, a promising future.
In Austria we knew what to expect and everything ran its course…Nepa is going through a tough period and is struggling to find himself. Finishing in last position is not acceptable: our bikes ARE NOT MADE to finish last. After years of paying his dues, finishing behind a boy in his first World Championship race is a red flag. Stefano is not able to change his racing style, maybe he’s better suited to a bigger bike.
We recharged a bit at the magnificent Lake Balaton: we were guests of a dear friend from the time I was attending the boarding school in Riccione. He was also a former sponsor of Marco. A guy who was already outstanding at the time, a “suit and tie” guy and today, in fact, has become a successful entrepreneur.
After crossing the borders of the new Hungarian circuit, we found ourselves facing a track waiting to be discovered: Balaton Park, a project born 30 years ago, but completed only in 2023. A fresh, technical and tricky circuit. Seventeen turns, all new for everyone, a leap into the unknown with the largest lake in Central Europe as backdrop. Casey wasn’t intimidated by it, he was quite fast from the start, he had a good race, finishing 13th and ahead of Stefano, who in the meantime showed a hint of improvement and finished 17th.
Then followed the amazing MotoE, where I had my small “satisfaction”: the riders didn’t cause any damage (considering Ducati spare parts cost an arm and a leg). However, honestly, I don’t want that to be our objective. Fusco showed a timid progress as well, he fought well in the last two races. Occhi, on the other hand, is still looking for the right way to ride this bike.
In the meantime, I’ve just received great news: Lunetta will be back in Barcelona. I’m happy, I hope he can get back in shape on the Catalan circuit and be at least 90% fit four our long-awaited home GP.
-PaoloSic58-