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Matteo Ferrari was among the riders who took to the track last weekend in Jerez. In fact, the rider from Romagna held the Gresini colors high, along with Arenas and Gonzalez in the wildcard on Andalusian soil. It was a weekend for him to discover riding the Kalex, among new tires, engine, format, and all the dynamics regarding the middle category.
Matteo ended the race with his first championship point. It was an opportunity to gain experience, grind kilometers, and prepare for upcoming races. We talked about this and much more with him in recent days.
"I consider the results of my weekend in Jerez positive," he began. "Unfortunately, the weather influenced our plans and, consequently, adapting quickly to the bike wasn't easy. Among other things, the engine used for the Kalex in the race in Jerez is quite different from the one used during the tests, since the character changes a lot and, as a result, I had to dedicate part of the sessions to getting familiar with the engine brake. Personally, I'm satisfied, because I got a point, and I'm of the opinion that we're not that much further from the top ten that, in the end, is my goal."
We've seen you ride different bikes over the years. How big is the jump from the Superbike to the Moto2?
"I think riding a Moto2 is more difficult than a Superbike. With an SBK, you reach the limit much easier and have more sensations. The Moto2, on the other hand, is stiff, tends to rear up and, as a result, you have to manage more to be effective. Then, starting this year, the tires have also changed, and that has a lot of influence."
There's a lot of talk about these Pirellis. How do they differ from the Dunlops?
"With the Dunlops, you could face a race doing even fifty laps. The Pirellis, on the other hand, are different. They definitely perform better, but it's important to manage them well. You see this often in the race, where you're not allowed to have a plan B because, if you don't, after a few laps, you're done. Also, I'm of the opinion that, at the moment, not all the bikes are set up to make the most of their potential. I'm thinking, for example, of Arbolino. A rider who was racing for the title last year while, at the moment, he's struggling a lot to find the right set-up with the new tires."
Let's talk about the riders. What can you tell us about this Aldeguer. Is he ready for a jump in category?
"Just watch him Fermin. He's already prepared for the MotoGP. He's a rider who never leaves any stone unturned. In every practice session, he never backs down, always giving one-hundred percent. Besides the way he approaches the race weekend, I'm amazed by his braking and corner entry, because he's really impressive. If Ducati gave him a contract already a year earlier, the reason is clear."
In Jerez, you raced wearing Fausto Gresini's number. A beautiful message that the entire paddock applauded.
"It seemed right to do that, and I'm glad that all of Gresini, the people in the paddock, and the fans appreciated the ìdea. There was always a special relationship with Fausto, and we often talked about the Moto2, as well as the MotoE. Racing in this category pleases me, and it wouldn't be bad to be able to compete in an entire championship, even if the priority is to win the title in the electric. The one in Jerez definitely won't be touch and go, because I'll also be racing in Silverstone with the Kalex, and I'd like to do better."
