MotoGP, Fontanesi: I had a feeling that Maverick would win

“On his first bike, Maverick has a sticker with a fighter plane and the number 1. Before the race, I took a picture. I had a feeling that would be his position today.” The comment came from Kiara Fontanesi, who, with Maverick Viñales, forms the fastest couple in the paddock. At Silverstone, the motocross rider showed that she has excellent prediction skills.

So you expected him to win?
“I have been counting on it for the entire weekend. I saw that he was very competitive and I was certain that he would at least be on the podium.”

What type of race did he ride?
“I’ll tell you as a rider: the best he could have done. You cannot win any better than that. I knew that he could make good start and that he would be able to widen the gap, but I thought that he would manage it then and not push until the last lap (she laughs).”

How was it in the garage for you?
“I was tense for the entire race and even more at the end, when he was just a shout from the win. I was afraid until I saw him go under the chequered flag. It’s his first win and I’m not used to it yet.”

Maverick thanked both you and his trainer…
“Before he met me, he always had different people following his training. Then he chose my trainer, Mauro.”

So you train together?
“Yes, and we help one another. In the gym it is a constant challenge because no one wants to give up.”

Does that happen on the bikes too?
“Yes, but in that case we need to be more careful (she laughs).”