Aurora Angelucci is the new director of Alessandro Tonucci's MTA Moto3 team. It is part of a larger “pink project” Our interview.
About Diana Tamantini / Corsedimoto.com
These days, the official announcement: Aurora Angelucci is the new Team Manager of MTA, and the only woman in Moto3. The new chapter in a collaboration that officially began when Angeluss became the main sponsor of the team led by Alessandro Tonucci. The former Fano driver becomes, for all intents and purposes, sporting director and owner of the team of the French structure, whileAurora Angelucci, CEO of Angeluss Women Sport Management, will take on this new role. A step that follows the path started together in 2022, on the occasion of the Aragón wildcard played with Maria Herrera and an all-female team. A pink commitment that is progressing in two-wheel racing, part of a project that also includes the creation of a track for young riders. We had a discussion with Aurora Angelucci, who explained to us what's new in Moto3 and the plans for this 2023 season.
You are now Team Manager of MTA: Tell us about your new role…
« After the success of the race in Aragón, where I was already Team Manager, they gave me the opportunity to occupy this role in Team MTA for the whole year in the Moto3 World Championship. It's a new adventure, it will definitely be more difficult than last year because we're talking about a whole season, but I'm very happy about it. And also for our project to bring more and more women into the World Championship: working on this project myself gives me the opportunity to see what it is and how to structure the course. And also to give hope to all the girls who, like me, want to approach this world and are perhaps afraid of not making it. Our goal would be to achieve an all-female MotoGP team, like that of Aragon but in the premier category, and the best way to achieve this is to structure a course. »
Let's take a step back: How did you get to the level you reached last year?
« We hit it off straight away, because as an Angeluss project we liked the idea of being able to collaborate with a World Championship team, giving the girls the chance to show off and work with an experienced structure. This has already given us the big chance, the race in Aragon, a wildcard with Maria Herrera and an all-female team. Then this year, we decided to continue the collaboration, expanding it with this new addition. »
What was the outcome of the 3 Moto2022 wildcard?
« I'm very happy with how it went. She was a wildcard, but Maria fought with the other wildcard [Alessandro Morosi, editor's note] who was the reference for us, the person in the same condition as her, since he was not a full driver. time. Everyone in the team got along well afterwards, a good feeling was created immediately, despite the fact that they had only worked together during the private test day in Aragon. It was also a big step for feedback, a lot of CVs arrived from young people who want to start working in this world. It was an example to show that we can do it. »
Did it also help that there was already someone with Worlds experience?
« Yes, the first mechanic had already worked in the world championship and was a great support to the mechanics. Of course some things have changed, but she had worked on this bike before and was a big help to all the other girls. »
Are there any other wildcards planned?
« There certainly will be, but nothing is confirmed at the moment. »
What is the program for this year?
« We will work in all the preparatory categories for the world championship. In the Italian championship, we will follow some young girls: Elisabetta Monti and Cecilia Scottini in CIV Junior, Josephine Bruno in PreMoto3, plus other girls that we have yet to announce. Monti and Bruno will then be part of the Talenti Azzurri: for the first time there will be two women in this program. They will be able to train with pilots chosen by the FMI, completing around 40 hours of training during the year. »
Another great novelty for this 2023 season!
« One of the problems we've seen with the girls' program is that they train less than their male counterparts, sometimes only on race weekends. Instead, being able to do it all year round with the Talenti Azzurri is a great achievement. Our goal is to be able to create a whole path to support girls to the top, help them progress and take the right path when they are younger. A journey like that of the boys. »
How do you train mechanics?
« It's more or less the same thing. There will be female mechanics on the course, and we are collaborating with a school in Barcelona which trains mechanics and rangefinders. We will officially announce it later, but we are moving in all directions. »
Let's get back to the news. You've already been with the team since last year, but how do you feel in your new official role?
« I get along very well with the team. Last year I was at the races for almost the whole year, so the relationship is already established. Of course, this year the role is different, but I think I can handle this new role without any particular problems. Last week we already worked with the team to prepare for the championship and everything went very well. »
A role that means more work, but also more pressure for you…
« Certainly the commitment increases, both in terms of time and pressure. However, this role is part of a bigger project, as we participate in several championships and different categories. »
You are currently the only female team manager in Moto3. You will be the “special observer”…
« I guess so [laughs]. But it is certainly a challenge that I take on with serenity and without problem. »
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Diana Tamantini
