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Fausto Gresini aims high with Di Giannantonio and Navarro

The team manager and former champion presents his three-pronged attack in Moto2 and Moto3, certain that the riders can be among the frontrunners in both classes

News: Fausto Gresini aims high with Di Giannantonio and Navarro

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The years, seasons and riders may pass, but Fausto Gresini and his team remain. After more than twenty seasons with his team, the Italian team manager is not leaving, but rather tripling his efforts, renewing the commitment of 2016 that saw riders compete across all three world championship classes. 

As well as its MotoGP commitment with Aprilia, the team will also be represented in Moto2 by Jorge Navarro and in Moto3 by Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

So in the Moto3 class there's a new-entry and a 'veteran', with the arrival of Martin and the renewal of Di Giannantonio. Two riders with a lot in common, both having raced in the Rookies Cup for example (with Martin having won the title in 2014, while “Diggia” finished second in 2015) la Rookies Cup. On hand to explain all this is team manager Fausto Gresini: “Our Moto3 adventure is of course new this year, but it follows on, in part, from last year, starting with our new title sponsor (Del Conca, already present last year, albeit with a more minor role). We are continuing our path with Honda, a great manufacturer and one with which we've built a special relationship, considering the many years of collaboration that link us. Last year, we finished second and, I think, with the right effort, we can continue to fight for the positions that count. Di Giannantonio, in his first year in the world championship, achieved great results, and with a year under his belt he's more mature, we have high hopes for him. Without wanting tp put him under any pressure. Martin too has gained some good experience in recent seasons, I really like him as a rider. He is very talented and I think he can bring us great satisfaction. We have the first tests at Valencia on the horizon, we're leaving today in fact, and hope to be able to test the new bike, which will differ from the 2016 version in terms of both the engine and frame”.

Jorge Martin is also keen to get going: “I'm really pleased to be part of this team. I can't wait to start, as I've trained really hard over winter and am excited about the bike, which I tested in its 2016 configuration and really liked”. The same goes for Di Giannantonio: “Last year we collected some positive results, and I think we can do the same this year, fighting for significant results”.

In Moto2, the class in which the Gresini team won in its first year, the choice came down to a rookie, but one who soon promises to be among the frontrunners. His name is Jorge Navarro, one of the stars of last year's Moto3 season, which he concluded in third place. “Jorge (Navarro) is a young rider, given that he turns 21 today, and immediately proved to be very keen. We were protagonists in this category last season too, having made a great start, before dropping slightly and finishing fifth overall. This is an exciting project. The start might be tough, seeing as we have a rookie rider, but I think we can soon be up at the sharp end”.

Getting to grips with the Italian language, Jorge Navarro is enthusiastic: “Last year I didn't have the best end to the year, due to a leg injury, but for that reason I'm very keen and ready to do well this year”.

The passion is clear to see in Fausto's eyes, and shines through in his words: “We are all bike lovers, and are all passionate about them. I can only thank everyone that helps us to continue with this dream”. A dream that has always brought great results, and that promises to do the same in 2017.   

Translated by Heather Watson
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