It was this weekend that Romano came to ride some famous Benellis, in the company of Eugenio Lazzarini, Ivano Balestrieri and Luciano Battisti. He thus tried the 500 with which Jarno Saarinen won the Pesaro GP in 1972.
At the end of the 60s and the very beginning of the 70s, the Benellis were the only multi-cylinders competitive with the MV Agusta, after the withdrawal of Honda, and before the comeback of the Japanese with the 500 four-cylinder two-strokes. Great champions rode them, such as Mike Hailwood, Walter Villa, Jarno Saarinen, Tarquinio Provini and Renzo Pasolini. In 1969, Benelli was crowned 250 World Champion with Kel Carruthers.
For Romano Fenati this Sunday, it was “ an excellent experience, with a special flavor. It was an honor for me to ride on Saarinen's bike, a piece of the history of our sport.
“I had fun like a baby… not like a grandmother and I even gave him gas when I could, which was plenty!”
“I hope I have paid tribute in the best way to the Benelli brand, to the driver who drove it and to Pesaro where the fans really came in droves. Thanks everyone! »
Below: a video with the engine starting of the Benelli 500
Source: gpone.com
Photos: Hailwood at Monza in 1968, Fenati this Sunday © Fermino Fraternali for gpone.com
