Guarneri aims for Italian title
LS Motors, supported by Honda Europe, heads to the fourth and final race of the Italian Open Championship with the necessary ambitions. Logical because both Tanel Leok and Davide Guarneri have impressed in recent weeks. Last week they each won a series victory in Gallarate, while The Estonian Express the opposition was overwhelming in the Hawkstone Park International. In addition, the 24-year-old Guarneri is in the lead in the standings International, teammate Leok is third on 23 points.
The LS Motors-Honda pilots will compete in San Severino, approximately 50 km southwest of Ancona, against a strong field including Ken De Dycker, Jimmy Albertson, Tony Cairoli, Josh Coppins, Manuel Monni, Max Nagl, Manuel Priem and Alex Salvini. After Gallarate, Leok and Guarneri remained in Italy to train and test. In addition to successful testing with the engine, the riders were also busy developing a new exhaust in collaboration with Leovince. Also to meet the stricter FIM noise standards.
San Severino can be described as a classic, typically Italian track: hard, fast, technical and decorated with spectacular steep slopes. In addition to pure power, it will also be important to find grip this weekend, because the surface is quite slippery. In the past, San Severino has proven to be an excellent hunting ground for Belgians with GP victories for Joël Robert (250cc in 1970) and Gaston Rahier (125cc in 1978), so who knows, the Belgian LS Motors-Honda can celebrate its third national title on Sunday evening after previous championships with Clément Desalle and Dennis Dierckx… Or perhaps a Belgian employed by Italian, De Dycker, will provide a surprise on Sunday! During his previous International performance in Castglione del Lago, he stood on stage next to Philippaerts and Cairoli. In any case, for Keeno it will be an important test on a hard surface with a view to Sevlievo in two weeks. Ken's adjustment problems are gradually being solved, but time is running out to get everything in order.
Title favorite Guarneri, fourth in the MX2 World Championship last year, is looking forward to the weekend with confidence: “It's quite exciting to start the last race as a leader! I am in a good position to fight for the title and of course I will not pass that up. I already have second and third places in the Italian championship, but the title is still missing. On the other hand, I don't feel any pressure from my coach Marnicq (Bervoets) nor from the team. That in itself is cool. Above all, we are keen to achieve strong results in the GPs. I'm just going to start this weekend to ride fast and enjoy the racing. The level will certainly be high with men like Tony (Cairoli), Nagl, De Dycker, Albertson and Tanel of course!”
In MX2, Frenchman Charlier towers above the competition. The Yamaha-Gariboldi-Monster Energy man could well become one of the surprises in the MX2 World Championship. There were few top performers among the well-known MX2 in action in San Severino. Three-time world champion Alessio Chiodi - who turned 37 the day before yesterday - is in fourth place. Due to Paulin's absence Chicco his Valenti-Suzuki should be able to park easily on the final podium. Talent doesn't stop!
Standings in the Italian MX1 Championship after three rounds: 1. Davide Guarneri 118, 2. David Philippaerts 100 pts, 3. Tanel Leok 95, 4. Manuel Monni 93, 5. Josh Coppins 92, 6. Alex Salvini 79, 7. Jimmy Albertson 76, 8. Manuel Priem 69, 9. Julien Bill 57, 10. Tony Cairoli 44
Standings in the Italian MX2 Championship after three rounds: 1. Christophe Charlier 136 pts, 2. Marcus Schiffer 120, 3. Gautier Paulin 100, 4. Alessio Chiodi 92, 5. Alessandro Lupino 73, 6. Harry Kullas 68, 7. Nicolaj Larsen 66, 8. Marco Maddi 55, 9 Angelo Pellegrini 53, 10 Jernej Irt 48
Photos credit: CDS, Offroadproracing
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