The press release remains ambiguous on this point, speaking of “all the categories in which the Faenza team operates” without naming the MotoGP riders. Wait and see…
The Gresini Racing family continues to grow and now welcomes on board double World Champion (2001 and 2003) Manuel Poggiali, who was already in orbit around Gresini last year.
The 36-year-old San Marino athlete, who has just taken up his position as driver coach, will supervise all categories in which the Faenza team operates.
“We don’t want to leave anything to chance; I believe Manuel is the right guy to help us in many ways”Says Fausto Gresini. “As a former world champion, he will bring a winning mentality and help our drivers, from the youngest in the CIV to those lined up in the World Championships. He will be a big help to the team. It is also an opportunity for him to discover the paddock in a different way after having known it perfectly as a driver. The idea is that he can serve as a mentor to the drivers, while also working his way into a team manager role as our team grows from year to year. »
Manuel Poggiali is joining the Gresini Racing Team, but we would like to know more…
Welcome to the Gresini Racing family. What will be your role within the team?
“I am very happy and proud to join Gresini Racing in an official capacity. Last year we got to know each other and we immediately liked each other, so I'm now part of the family. This is a great opportunity and so I would like to thank Fausto for this. My role will be to bring some of my experience to the off-track and on-track drivers. There are a lot of areas we need to work on and I am sure we can do great things with the team we are building. »
You participated in the World Grand Prix Championship from 1998 to 2008, with 12 victories, 35 podiums and two titles… How important will your experience be for Gresini Racing?
“I ran for a short period of time, but had great success; my titles arrived quite early thanks to a great virtuous circle and extraordinary people around me. The environment and relationships, as well as the technical aspect, are key factors in achieving important results. Doing well is something, winning is something else entirely. It takes something more to win, a different mindset and the ability to handle pressure. I hope to be able to bring my experience to bear and use it wisely in this new role within Gresini Racing. »
How much has racing changed from when you were racing?
“Motorcycle racing has changed a lot and in many areas: technology, training, but also the motorcycles themselves. If you think about it, it wasn't that long ago that there were very few drivers training the way even drivers from the back of the grid train now. It's the natural evolution of a sport that retains the same essence, the one I've always had. »
Let's talk about this year's projects and how you see the potential of drivers in all categories.
“We can start with the young people: we have to work hard and make sure they progress and improve as riders in a more affordable, but still extremely competitive, championship like the CIV. In Moto3 we count on the talent of Gabri (Gabriel Rodrigo), a very experienced rider who I believe can fight for the title in his first year with the team. For (Riccardo) Rossi it will be a learning year: he has not yet learned most of the tracks on the calendar, and so it will be important to do his homework before the races by analyzing each circuit turn by turn. He is very motivated and we know he can succeed in his first year. Sam (Lowes) needs no introduction; he has worked well with Gresini in the past, so this is a welcome return and the bar is set very high for him. This year it will also be MotoE, with Savadori and Ferrari as standard bearers, two very fast riders who are ready to surprise everyone. »
