We tend to forget it, but when you are a hope of motorcycle speed in Italy, you can get there without necessarily passing through Valentino Rossi's ranch. Well, it's certainly not easier, but it's different, and we still exist. Take the cases of Gresini drivers Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio. They are now in orbit in MotoGP and at Ducati. In the intermediate class there is also Tony Arbolino who also owes a lot to Jorge Lorenzo. Fortunately the two world champions, now retired, have reconciled for this authentic Italian…
In a truth interview about speedweek, Tony Arbolino, Marc VDS Racing Moto2 rider, recalled where he came from and that he would probably not be where he is now if, at a crucial moment in his career, Jorge Lorenzo had not looked into his case. Firstly, we discover a pilot with modest origins and a humble character: “ I gave everything, my family gave everything, also from a financial point of view, to achieve something in this world. Even though it was not so easy financially, I always experienced everything in a good way. I come from a very humble family, I also grew up in a very humble place with my grandparents. This helped me a lot and, even as I got older, I always kept this attitude: I prefer to do things quietly, even off the track ».
But at some point, we had to move up a gear in Grand Prix and not just on the track. The teammate of Sam Lowes tell : " In my small town, it was difficult for me to take another step in the area of training and preparation. This is where Jorge Lorenzo came in. He came up to me in Malaysia while I was having a massage and asked, “where do you live?” And I answered: “in Milan.” And him: 'I'm in Lugano and I'm looking for a strong driver to train with. Come over there.' ».
Tony Arbolino : “j’ai beaucoup de respect pour Jorge Lorenzo et je lui serai toujours reconnaissant"
« It was his idea. He gave me the chance to work with his trainer » says the Italian. “ So I packed my bags and went to Lugano. My mother lived there with someone, I slept on the sofa there because the apartment was small, for one year. It was bad for my back, a year on the couch, but I was able to train there. In the end we didn't ride a motorbike much, but rather a bicycle with a lot of physical training ».
A period that allowed him to progress: “ I took a step, also with his trainer Ivan Lopez, who is still my trainer now. My way of thinking has changed a bit since then. I think that's what made me a different person and a different driver "He assures.
The contribution of Jorge Lorenzo to the career of Tony Arbolino therefore takes on its full dimension. And the relationship will remain forever alive: “ he's a little away from everything now and it's difficult because I live in Barcelona » ends the transalpine about Por Fuera. “ But I have a lot of respect for him and I will always be grateful to him. Because he helped me in a delicate phase of my career. He helped me understand the important things and he helped me by giving me one of his men ».
