About Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Valentino Rossi and the Academy drivers train in reduced sessions at Ranch Tavullia. The start of the MotoGP season remains shrouded in uncertainty due to the coronavirus.
One of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic is Italy, the country that has hosted some of MotoGP's biggest stars. Among the victims is Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia, where most VR46 pilots train, as it is semi-enclosed. Motorcycle training is reduced to two sessions at a time, the gym is closed.
The decree established by the Italian government allows professional athletes to train, but knowing that the start of the MotoGP world championship is still far away, it is better not to take unnecessary risks. And we must strictly respect the restrictive measures established by the government. The province of Pesaro is paying the high price for this epidemic, with 74 victims and 812 infected people.
The VR46 Academy is suffering the effects of the coronavirus
Academy pilots train in small sessions limited by the provisions of the decree. Although the Jerez Grand Prix is still scheduled, the danger of it being canceled or postponed is real. A complicated situation for Valentino Rossi himself who planned to make a decision on his future after the first five races. A situation that even in the worst case “Il Dottore” would not have imagined.
In the impossible scenario of the cancellation of the MotoGP championship, it is easy to predict that the Doctor will decide to sign with Razlan Razali's team. In the worst case, a 2020 season can be expected to develop from the summer, where coronavirus infections should be kept to a minimum with high temperatures. The conditional is always obligatory and it is impossible to make certain assumptions.
With the future uncertain, the VR46 Academy pilots kill time in disparate tasks. Only Valentino Rossi can count on a private home gym. Everyone is living their preventive quarantine. “ We can’t even go to the gym by bike”, explained Franco Morbidelli to “La Gazzetta dello Sport”.
“In the meantime, the days pass quietly. By nature, I am addicted to television: I cook a little more, I increase the challenges on Playstation with Francesca, my fiancée, in Tekken, a fighting game. I'm trying to learn to play the harmonica and cajon Spanish, a percussion instrument. I don't do well with both.", jokes the Italian.
Pilot solidarity
For his part, Pecco Bagnaia spends his time raising funds to help hospitals in one of the countries most affected by this pandemic. In total, the Italian raised 15 euros with the help of his fan club. « We can't do much these days, locked up at home, and luckily Domizia, my girlfriend, is with me. Since I can't go to the gym, I train at home, with remote supervision from the Misano Adriatico medical center, as well as some outdoor jogging, alone. Giving up on starting the world championship was difficult. I was ready to race, whereas now we have to wait for the Jerez GP on May 3, but even behind closed doors it is a hope that is fading more and more. »
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