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SBK, Marinelli: Giugliano? We're working to help him

Davies confirmed, the second seat is still to be confirmed with Sykes at the top of the shortlist

Marinelli:  Giugliano? We're working  to help him

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Ducati continues to believe in the Superbike project and we want to stay here and win”.

With these words Ernesto Marinelli sums up his own spirit, but also that of the Ducati factory itself; investment in SBK continues to be made in Bologna and the aim remains the same: to win, win and win again.

Marinelli began his career in Ducati back in 1996 (“when I still had dark hair”, he jokes) and, after three key years in the USA with the AMA SBK series, and the Vance & Hynes team, he worked (from 2001 to 2002) as technical manager for a certain Ben Bostrum on the 998. With the American he began to win races and become known for both his technical know-how but also for the relationships he is able to build with his riders.

From 2003 to 2009 the engineer managed all of the factory Ducatis on the Superbike grid, accumulating more title wins with riders including Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and Troy Bayliss, more than once.

In 2010, he became SBK project manager, not only at a technical level but also with regard to the sporting side of things, for example, rider and team selection and company strategies.

Ernesto has found his second home in this competitive, but at the same time, "human" environment: “We're all in competition but outside of the garages we meet and talk and, at times, that's really helpful”.

SBK, a world series in which extensive changes can be made to the production-derived bikes, involves costs that not all companies are able or willing to support and, as Marinelli clarifies “We are interested in this championship, both because we've written our history here but also because it allows us to develop the products that will then go to our customers."

So, the big question: what does an SBK season cost compared to MotoGP?

“SBK is cheaper than MotoGP in several ways, including the realisation of the bike and the added costs. The bikes are derived from our products, so as we already have a model on which to work, we know what needs to be done. And this works, considering that the results have often rewarded us. Contrary to MotoGP we save here in terms of logistics and staff costs, shipping, hotels, travel. Having less races, the calendar is shorter and less… stressful.”

Your bike, the twin-cylinder 1200 Panigale has grown a lot since its birth, but at the start you had trouble – why was that?

“As a Stock 1000 version, the Panigale was immediately strong, showing off its positives. In SBK, we were unlucky in that we had a new and revolutionary project at a time when a number of regulation changes penalised the twins, with air restrictors and less engine preparations, so we had to work day and night to try and reduce the gap to the four cylinders."

Where were you at a particular disadvantage?

“Especially in terms of top speed and our riders had to make up for this in braking and through the turns. While they were able to do so through the corners, in braking the front tyre would suffer excessive wear, with the knowledge that on the next straight the 4 cylinders would pass anyway. It was frustrating for the riders and for us too.”

So how did you get back to the front?

“In 2014 we suffered but continued to work, but the big step came in 2015 when the regulation levelled the performance of the 2 and 4 cylinders. Last year we were able to score several wins with Davies and this year…. we’re on a level playing field, thanks to improvements in the electronics, some new details regarding the engine and the two fantastic exhausts that everyone’s been admiring.”

In terms of riders, Chaz Davies is confirmed but what do you plan to do in terms of the second rider? Davide Giugliano seems to be struggling…

“Last year Davide suffered two serious injuries and was away from the track for a long time, so we decided to confirm him for this year, investing resources and money. I can’t hide the fact that he’s struggling, but I assure you we’re doing all we can to give him a bike and a set-up that allows him to show his potential. We’ve invested in Davide for 3 years and we’d like to keep him. The race results will count for a lot.”

Qualora non confermaste Giuliano, quali nomi avete pronti sul tavolo?

“Per adesso non abbiamo deciso nulla e, ripeto, ci piacerebbe tenere Davide; altrimenti qualche nome lo abbiamo già in mente”.

Si chiama Tom e guida una Kawasaki numero 66?

(Ride) Beh, si chiama in tanti modi, la scelta non comprenderebbe solo Sykes (ride nuovamente) ma anche una serie di piloti che dimostreranno di essere veloci e di voler vincere, perché siamo qui ad Imola per concludere le gare sul gradino più alto del podio con qualsiasi dei nostri piloti Ducati, da Davies a Giuliano e tutti i ragazzi della Stock 1000”.

E se Davide tornasse ad andare forte e conquistasse almeno una gara?

“Almeno è la parola più adatta. Qui per primeggiare servono velocità, costanza e saper sferrare l’attacco al momento giusto. Se Davide Giuliano dovesse riuscirci, nessun adesivo numero 66 sul cupolino della Ducati ufficiale nel 2017 sarà appiccicato (terza ed ultima risata)"

Concludo con una domanda che si fanno in molti da diverso tempo: Casey Stoner, pazzo, veloce e talentuoso, tanto scompiglio ha portato in MotoGP e ha accennato anche di voler provare la Panigale SBK…quando sarà il suo primo test?

“Sinceramente non abbiamo una data di quando si farà un test…se si farà o se si farà altro”.

Ah, intendi dire che addirittura Casey correrà una gara SBK?

“No, lo escludo a priori, siamo concentrati sui nostri due piloti titolari Chaz e Davide e non saprei nemmeno dire se Casey correrà almeno una gara in MotoGP; quindi niente adesivo numero 27 su una SBK quest’anno”.

Foto: Costantino Di Domenico

 

 

Translated by Heather Watson
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