Forza Pota! Davide Guarneri's column
Hello everyone!
I must say that I am quite proud that I finished this column because I am not much of a writer myself. Although there is usually a trick to getting what needs to be done done. I was given good advice to write the introduction when you have already completed the text... And look: that appears to work!
It's lucky that something like that rider's block – unlike writer's block – does not exist. It would be pretty ridiculous anyway; Sit on a seat in front of your motorcycle and wait for it to start moving on its own. Hahaha. Now that the beginning is over, I would like to say something about the why of this column. I have been doing motocross since I was five years old and MX means a lot to me. It took a long time to get where I am now, but I wouldn't have missed it! As anyone who has ever put a leg over a motorcycle knows, motocross is not only an exhausting but also a difficult sport. It turned out that I had a talent for motocross at a fairly young age, but it still took a long time before I was really 'launched' and included in a team. That had to do with many different things. I come all the way from the north of Italy at the foot of the mountains and there you are literally far from the center of the sport. Moreover, my dad was a good amateur who liked to have fun with cross, but he never rode at the highest level and he had no connections with teams, sponsors or other important people. Little by little, everything turned out well, fortunately. I will talk later about my early days in cross country and GPs because you will soon think that I am writing my biography here!
What I especially remember is how important it can be that people know you. When I first came to watch at the highest level, many journalists in Italy thought I was a foreigner, Swiss or something! Just because they had never heard of me when I was younger... It is simply not in my character to go up to everyone and shout from the rooftops how good I am. When I started in the GPs, I actually spoke little or no English because I had not learned it at school. So I didn't know many people in the World Cup other than Italians. So in more ways than one it was a big step for me to drive for a Belgian team, LS Motors-Honda, this season. I had been dreaming of switching to the MX1 for some time because with my 78 kg I am not exactly the ideal MX2 pilot. The collaboration with Marnicq Bervoets, who has a huge amount of experience, also appealed to me. As I have already explained, I have never been able to work with a coach at that level. And it's great to have someone next to you who can help you with how and when to train, rest, how to do it and all that kind of stuff. Moreover, it is also good to change the environment.
In 2006 and 2007 I had also lived in Belgium for several months, more specifically in Neeroeteren, because it was practical during the season. Now I am here permanently, which is also necessary to be able to work smoothly with Marnicq and the team. It's great to discover the Belgian circuits or to participate in the MX Pro Series, like this year. I also meet all kinds of new people here, people who are important in our sport, but also just motocross fans who come to have a chat. I like that.
I still remember the first time I was in Belgium, I noticed how the houses here are different from those in Italy. And especially that people almost never have security! With us you have a gate, alarm, walls around your garden and things like that. Hardly anyone here has that, or if people have a gate it is more for show... In addition, you cannot do without the weather when you discover Belgium or the Netherlands. It usually rains a lot more here than at home... but you get used to that. Especially in the summer, it is much more fun to cycle in Belgium. If you train in Italy in the summer, it will feel like you are riding MotoGP, the track is so hard! In Belgium the heat comes in intervals. And after it rains everything is a little softer again. That is certainly an advantage for motocross.
I can also imagine that it is not easy to put yourself in the spotlight in Belgium. There is a lot of interest in motocross, but the other side of the coin is that the level is so high that you would ideally have to compete for the world title to be respected! Motocross in Italy is somewhat smaller among the general public, especially because MotoGP and Valentino Rossi dominate everything. Even Formula 1 is overshadowed by 'Vale'. And I don't think his injury last week will immediately change that. Of course we also have two top riders in the Italian cross; both Tony (Cairoli) and David (Philippaerts) are fighting for the world title. I notice that the difference with them is getting smaller and on some courses I have a similar speed, but to play for the championship I have to get better. That is also my goal; getting better and better.
Before this year I never rode the 450, except once and that was in very difficult conditions. Because Tony (Cairoli) wanted to ride the MX2 bike, I had to ride MX1 for the Italian team at Budds Creek three years ago. With only one single training session beforehand, I was able to do quite well! It was also very hot there, the track was new to me and they had prepared it completely differently than we are used to in Europe. Moreover, there is always a lot of pressure during the MX of Nations, because if you mess up you will have the whole country on your roof!
So far my adjustment to the MX1 is going quite well. After years of riding Yamaha, I really had to get used to the shorter geometry of the bike, but I immediately thought the engine of the CRF450R was fantastic. I like to drive smoothly and very controlled with the gas. That works perfectly with my Honda. I didn't know in advance what to expect, especially because the level in the MX1 is so incredibly high this year. I am quite satisfied with my speed, but I still have to get stronger. It has happened too often that I lose a few places towards the end of the race because I have run on empty. So things can be much better in that area!
There are many cool competitions on the calendar in the coming weeks. And that starts this weekend with Kester. I've heard a lot about it from Marnicq and Tanel (Leok). Most pilots really enjoy driving there, which is why I'm curious! The German GP is then planned in Teutschental. That is a match that I have fond memories of. In 2005 I came second there and together with Cicco (Chiodi) and Andrew (McFarlane) we occupied the podium with three riders from one team, Ricci Yamaha. That was pretty cool. Hopefully this year will go just as well. But first towards Kester, I'm already going to the mobilehome prepare!
Hello!
Davide 'Pota' Guarneri
PS You can always vote for me for Kester; O )
Photos credit: Ray Archer, CDS
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