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Nicolò Canepa has decided to hang up his helmet. In fact, the Ligurian rider announced his decision to retire on Wednesday, sharing with us a long interview on the eve of the Magny-Cours Superbike round.
Many topics were discussed together with the Yamaha rider: from his beginnings on two wheels through the experiences gained in MotoGP as well as in Superbike up to Endurance among anecdotes and interesting backstories. Finally, the decision to close a chapter and then open a new one next year, always with Yamaha.
Here is an excerpt of what Nicolò told us.
"I began to mature this decision at the end of last season - he began - inside I knew that this would be my last season and I lived it in a very serene and calm way. In fact, I raced without pressure and without the need to prove something. Now there is still one last race of the World Championship and I hope to conclude it in the best possible way."
In the World Endurance Championship you wrote history, but there is also a record that still holds, that of Jennings.
"Boy, that's right, what a memory! There is this record that has lasted for more than ten years, and it's amazing that no one has been able to break it. I remember using the Hero EBR."
Going back over your testing career I imagine you tried so many things. Is there a memory that is still with you today?
"I remember the first time I tried the Ducati MotoGP, as they called me in to replace their test rider. Preziosi had invented a system that, in order to save on fuel consumption, the moment you touched the brake the bike would turn off. Imagine the braking at San Donato, at 340 km/h, with the bike switching off and you didn't hear any more noise - it was traumatic. It was a very special system that one, which I still remember today. Then there is something else."
What's that?
"Once they asked me to go straight on at San Donato to see if the bike could get out of the gravel."
Among the riders, on the other hand, who do you remember?
"Looking at Stoner's data was impressive. In those days I was young and also a little crazy. Most of the time I was launching the bike all over the place just to try to follow him. Of course, there is also Toprak among the riders I have great memories of, as his style has always been unique and impressive to say the least. Thanks to him and our entire working group, we came to win the title."
What are your thoughts on this Superbike?
"The advent of electronics over 10 years ago was important, plus aerodynamics has changed a lot as well as tires. Factory bikes can't be limited, and it's good to see more and more performance bikes. The fact is that SBK should not become a semi-MotoGP, so avoid extreme performance and level the values."
