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Moto2, Vietti: "A hug from Rossi the best memory, VR46 makes a difference"

INTERVIEW: "Without their help it would have been difficult to make it in the World Championship. Team Ajo? I would have liked to continue. Maybe it was lucky, but a reality like KTM will not end now."

Moto2: Vietti:

The year 2025 will be an important one for Celestino Vietti, who is ready to return to the track with the SpeedUp team's Boscoscoscuro after a year heavily affected by injuries. Three were in fact the collarbone fractures suffered by the rider from Piedmont in this short adventure on the Kalex of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. Which ended precisely with a crash in the last round of the season.

I think the crash in Barcelona messed up your winter a little bit. How are you experiencing it and how is your collarbone doing?
"Yes, it was the third fracture of the year in the same collarbone, so I had to stop for a moment to let everything heal properly. Now I'm recovering. I'm starting to do all the rehabilitation again and it will take a while, but it's better, though."

This time you will also have to spectate at the 100 km of Champions.
"Yes, unfortunately I can't participate and that's unfortunate because it would have been nice to continue with the progression of the last few years, since I was doing well there too. Who will I be rooting for? I don't know yet. I'll see when I'm there who will buy me best! (laughs)."

You joined the VR46 Riders Academy when you were very young. What does it represent for you?
"It was definitely a chance and a huge opportunity, which made a difference in my path, because they gave me the chance to get from CIV all the way to the World Championship. Without their help, not only in terms of structure, but also in terms of advice to improve in riding, approach to racing and everything, it would have been very difficult."

Is there a moment, or a memory, from all these years that you are particularly fond of?
"One of the best ones I have is definitely my first podium in Moto3. The first time Valentino, happy, hugged me for a result I had done. It was something beautiful for me. A dream."

What is it like to be able to count on Rossi's help?
"For us, especially in this environment, it's a bit like 'science fiction'. In the sense that to think that I can ask Vale questions and be able to talk to him face to face about motorcycles and what I do is an unexplainable feeling, because he has been my idol since I was a kid. That's kind of normalizing over the years, because I'm getting used to it. But it's always a very strong feeling and a privilege to be able to talk to him about motorcycles and more."

This is the time when we traditionally reflect on the year that has just ended and the one we are beginning. How is the balance of your 2024 and what are the good resolutions for the coming season?
"From the point of view of speed, I am happy with this 2024, because when we fixed some of the little hiccups at the beginning of the year, we were able to be competitive. Unfortunately, however, I missed out a bit on the presences, because I got hurt a lot and missed a lot of races. Let's say I'm very happy in terms of speed and performance, but I should have tried to be a little bit more on the bike. The first time I got injured in Jerez it was a mistake. It happens, it can happen. But then there was also a run of bad luck, which certainly didn't help me. This year it will be important to be even more precise and not leave anything to chance, so as not to be in uncomfortable situations."

You will be changing teams for the third time in as many years. In addition to injuries, how much do you think not having continuity has affected your chances of fighting for the title?
"This year I may have had to adapt a little bit at the beginning, but I actually got on very well with the Ajo team, and I think and hope it will be the same with SpeedUp. It's not always a bad point, because it takes a little bit to adapt, but in testing we have time to do that. And in some cases it may be that in the new team you fit equally well, or even better. So, I don't think it affected me that much."

What will it be like to return to an Italian team after a year in the Ajo team?
"It will be good. However, this year I realized that you can get along really well anywhere. At first I was a little worried about the different cultures and having to speak English all the time. However, it's really just a matter of getting used to it, and I also really enjoyed the fact that I'm changing the way I work. Coming back to an Italian team will definitely be a bit easier and I already know some people. So, it will be fun to see what it's like."

Will the goal be to aim for the title and arrive in MotoGP?
"Let's say I've been trying for at least a year, not to say forever. But this is definitely a year in which I would like to do well and concretize as much as possible."

In Misano you said that the one in 2024 was the best Vietti since you entered Moto2. How much and in what ways have you grown since then?
"I think I have improved my versatility on all circuits: I adapt more to situations and I can be more competitive in general. And then I seemed to have a little more awareness. I'm a little bit more confident, and that gets me a little bit more in terms of results as well, because I tend to be calmer, even mentally, and handle situations better."

Aki Ajo has been a key figure in Acosta's journey. How did you get along with him? Has he taught you anything this year?
"Absolutely. Honestly, before I joined the team I thought he was something else: a little more brutish, dark, and always a little angry. He's actually a really nice person, and he spurs you on in a way that he is able to bring out the best in you. He can motivate you and tell you the right thing at the right time, to make you give that extra something when you get on the track. He is very good at imposing himself: not everyone is able to explain in words what they think or take you in the right way, whereas he tries to talk to you in the way he can get to you best. He keeps you calm and when there is a need to give you an earful he gives it, but always in a positive way. Because he believes in you anyway. It's very nice."

Are you left with some regret that your journey together was interrupted after only one year?
"Definitely, but that's how it is in this world unfortunately: it's a wheel that always turns and many times it doesn't go as you hoped or as you thought. I'm very happy because it still gave something to me, however, I'm a little sorry because it's a super competitive team that I would have liked to continue with."

Given what's going on in KTM, maybe in the end it was lucky for you.
"Maybe so. In the end, you never know how it goes. Maybe it was, however, I think a reality like KTM's will not end now."

Was there ever any warning in the box?
"No, no. None."

What is your relationship instead with your brother Doriano? How important was he to your path?
"When I started, he was the big one riding motorcycles, so I always tried to copy what he did and do it better. He was always kind of my first opponent, my first cue and my first motivation to do something more. Whether it was on motorcycles, on bikes, or on skis, we were always kind of competing with each other, but each one always praised what the other was doing. We always got along like two normal brothers, so very little (laughs). When he was growing up he got injured and had to stop for a while while I went on. Then he picked up and now he's on a good path, in my opinion. If I am at home, I will gladly go and follow him to CIV this year."

 

Translated by Julian Thomas

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