It was the Vinicio Rosati circuit in Castiglione del Lago (PG) that hosted the fifth round of the Italian Pro Prestige and the third and final of the Rookies Cup.
In addition to our Luca Rosati engaged in the Fast MX2, the two days in Umbria was the opportunity to welcome the new arrival in the team. He is Gennaro Utech, a young Sicilian rider of undoubted talent who will finish the 2024 season with us. Gennaro competed in the 125cc Rookies Cup.
Both boys arrived in Umbria not at their best. Luca because of the crash he suffered in the Marche Regional round at Ponzano di Fermo, which still has some effects, and Gennaro because he has only been with us for a few weeks, so the feeling with the new bike was definitely not optimal.
In Saturday’s time trials Luca easily qualified for Sunday’s heats with the 14th fastest time in his MX2 group. Gennaro was fourth fastest in his 125cc group.
The first race of the Rookies Cup took place on Saturday afternoon. Gennaro had a good start and was in the top ten on the first lap, but a crash on the second lap caused him to lose a lot of positions. His comeback was good and he finished eighth.
In the second race on Sunday he made another good start and this time things seemed to be going better, but a small mistake delayed him again and his comeback was halted once more by a seventh-place finish.
With these results Gennaro finished the day in seventh place overall and in third place in the final standings of the tournament.
Luca took part in the two heats on Sunday, finishing 29th and 21st respectively. With two sub-optimal starts he had no choice but to try and make up as much ground as possible, in race one a crash cost him several positions, while in race two things went better.
With these results Luca is 14th in the Fast MX2 standings with one round to go.
The next event for the team is already scheduled for next weekend, when the first final of the 125cc Italian Junior Championship will take place in Fermo. Gennaro Utech will be joined on the track by Davide Paglialunga.
MATTIA SERAFINI (Team Manager): It was a busy weekend. To be honest, with the arrival of Gennaro, whom we welcome, the last two weeks have been useful to get used to the new bike. In the races at Castiglione he could have done better if not for the crash in the first race and the small hiccup in the second, but we are sure that from Fermo things will be better for him. Luca came back from a bad crash and tried to do his best, for him two places above 20th but the knowledge that he can aspire to the top ten in his championship. We are now looking forward to the first junior final with Gennaro and Davide, which we hope to see as far ahead as possible. As always, thanks to all our partners who allow us to be there.
