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Two of the outright protagonists of World SBK, Andrea Iannone and Danilo Petrucci have been speaking on a Radio Deejay broadcast in the run-up to the production-based racing championship round at the Cremona circuit, scheduled for May 2 to 4, an event that was a great success with the public when it made its debut last year. In particular, the GoEleven team rider explained to listeners less familiar with motorsport, how he prepares for a race.
"My training is to sweat a lot, to run on foot, on a bike, and to work out for many hours. Today if you're not absolutely physically prepared you can't ride or at any rate to make it you have to devote a good part of your time to this kind of thing. In recent years, motorcycles have definitely become more physical, and especially if there is aerodynamics with wings, making a lot of air resistance, changes of direction are more complex to make. Arms and legs have to be in shape," were his words.
"Another aspect not to be neglected is diet. In MotoGP even more so, but also in SBK it is necessary to diet properly. Personally, before the start I eat rice, chicken or a plate of whole-wheat pasta, then clearly sometimes I'll goof off, for example I'll eat bread with Nutella or soak cookies in milk," he continued. "To find concentration, on the other hand, I've never had a recipe and in my opinion it doesn't even exist. I never think I have to concentrate because I live everything instinctively, I also plan very little as I am of the idea that when you make plans, everything turns out differently in the end. Like in school, some people study a lot, but I used to come to questions unprepared and try to remember the lectures and then improvise. I never flunked, so that was fine too. When did I get on the motorcycle for the first time? When I was three years old, before I could even pronounce my name, which I still struggle to say to this day because of the 'R,'" he then joked before casting a glance into the future.
"I make so many plans, but then they always change. I hope what I have in mind will come to fruition, however, I do not want to imagine myself as I know very well that you build castles and then from one moment to the next it all comes crashing down. In life I have learned not to look too far ahead and to be able to accept the present," is his philosophy.
With the Barni rider, DJs Andrea and Michele instead looked back over the season so far and had a look back at the past edition of the Lombardy race. "When you are at the front fighting for podiums it is a great satisfaction. Although the years are passing by being able to keep up with the young guys gives you a lot of gusto - said the Terni-born rider - In what have I improved? In the fellowship with the team, tires and bike, and that's what brings results. Together with the team we have managed to improve the set-up of my Ducati and I have a better understanding of the areas to work on. Having said that, I recognize that while I have more experience, I have less physical strength and more fear when I ride."
"In 2024, the one in Cremona was one of the best weekends of my life, and to win both races on a track never seen before in the championship, with all the uncertainties involved, was fantastic. To finish ahead of everyone in Italy with all the affection of the fans was incredible, by the way the first five to six corners of the track are like an arena. Seeing 10 thousand people stand up when you pass gives you incredible joy and strength, as does having the anthem sung three times. It was certainly a weekend to tell your grandchildren about," he concluded.
