De Diana Tamantini / Corsedimoto.com
MTA Racing shows up for the start of the world championship. The return of Alessandro Tonucci under a new face, with an ambitious Stefano Nepa and the rookie Ivan Ortolá.
The 2016 Italian GP was the last global event where we saw Alessandro Tonucci. This year he is back, but in a very different form and with an exciting and ambitious project. Yesterday the MTA Racing Team was presented, ready to face the 2022 Moto3 season with two KTMs for the Italian Stefano Nepa and the newcomer Ivan Ortola, who already joined the team (in collaboration with Aspar Team) during last year's Junior World Championship, where he finished runner-up. But the team's commitment to JuniorGP also continues, with two promising riders making their debut in the Moto3 category. One of them is Basque Xabier Zurutuza, young fan of Casey Stoner and Marc Márquez, who was on the verge of the ETC 2021 title. The second is the Japanese Kotaro Uchiumi, however absent for visa issues.
“We deserved our return”
From driver to team leader. “ I look older... » joked Alessandro Tonucci. « MTA has existed since 2014, formerly Team Italia, when I was still racing against them in the Moto3 world championship. From 2014 to 2016 we started from scratch, returning to the Italian championship from 2017 to 2021, then moving to the junior world championship. We came very close to victory, the vice-championship is a magnificent and unexpected result, with a beginner driver who gave us great satisfaction. We deserved our return to the world championship! »
He then also talks about his change in role. “ Someone who has raced a motorcycle and then goes to the other side can understand a little better what goes on in a team. Trying to give what we couldn't have and the experience of what happened pass. » He then moves on to a comment about his boys in the world. “ We have a more experienced rider and a rookie, but the rookies have shown good things lately... A mix like that is the logic of just about every teams. ”, emphasizing that “ we don't come back to fill two boxes, but we always aim for the best. »
“An expert and a new face”
Stefano Nepa is the “big brother” of the team, having already participated in the world championship for years. “I am very excited, there is a lot of desire to start and we are back ! » He then comments on his new box companion. “The rookies are arriving more and more ready and pumped up, Ivan will be fast from the start. » As for him, no superstitions but a very clear objective after several years in the entry category: two “half-seasons” (2018-2019) and two full seasons. “ I think I have the right potential, we will go to war. The real goal is top 5 in all races: we can be in the lead in all races and why not, maybe be a protagonist for the title. »
Ivan Ortola then emphasizes that “ It’s a dream of mine that I’ve had since I was four years old. By working hard, you can get there! This team is therefore a family for me. » Concerning 2022 « CIt will be a year of learning without pressure, with a lot of desire to gain pleasure. "But maybe after Fernández and Acosta's results..." The rookies certainly arrive even more determined. One of them won the world championship immediately, so why not try? But this is a one-time case, I expect a year normal. » Also revealing a curiosity about his number: in the CEV, he had 24, here 48. “That’s my real number: it’s my birthday, August 4.”
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