A remarkable start to the season for Fantic Factory Racing MXGP! In just his second race aboard the XXF 450, Alberto Forato claimed the podium at round 2 of the Internazionali d’Italia in Mantova, and wrapped up the prestigious Italian pre-season series with an impressive silver medal in the championship standings.
An all-new Fantic squad enjoyed a promising start to the season at the Internazionali d’Italia, the first benchmark leading up to the MXGP World Championship: Alberto Forato delivered Fantic’s first podium of the year, finishing third on the day and second overall in the championship, behind five-time world champion Tim Gajser.
Already fourth overall at the opening round in Alghero, the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider secured the podium in Mantova thanks to a fifth- and fourth-place finish in the two races. A hugely positive season debut for the 25-year-old Italian, even more so considering that he only returned to riding at the end of December following a knee injury that had kept him out of competition for most of the previous season. Despite that, Forato quickly felt at home on his new Fantic XXF 450 and within the team structure led by former world champion Jacky Martens, showing strong confidence and an ever-improving feeling.
In the 125 class, Fantic came close to another podium, with Fantic Factory Racing EMX rider Gennaro Utech finishing fourth in the championship, just one point shy of third place. After a fifth-place result at Alghero, the Sicilian talent looked increasingly comfortable on the race-kitted Fantic XX 125 in Mantova, setting the second-fastest time in his practice group. A fourth place in the opening race put him in podium contention, but a less-than-perfect start in race 2 prevented him from making the most of the opportunity. Ninth in the race, he nevertheless secured a solid sixth overall on the day.
Just behind him was team-mate Bertram Thorius, who finished seventh overall. Another display of talent and determination from the 15-year-old Dane, who pushed all the way to the chequered flag to claim seventh and sixth places in the two races. He ends the Internazionali d’Italia eighth in the championship, confirming the positive feeling aboard his new XX 125. The feedback and the positives gathered in these first races leave the whole Fantic team highly encouraged and motivated for an exciting season ahead.
Alberto Forato | Fantic XXF 450 | 3th overall (5-4), 2nd in the championship
“A great start to the season with a podium at the Internazionali d’Italia! We couldn’t really have expected this result, considering that I am coming back from injury, and the bike is still pretty new to me. But consistency and hard work have paid off, and I am really happy. We are only at the beginning, but I already feel good with my Fantic and with the new team. Now it’s back to work, and we hope to continue like this. Thanks to everyone for the great support!”
Gennaro Utech | Fantic XX 125 | 6th overall (4-9), 4th in the championship
“A solid start to the season. We showed some good things in these two rounds in Alghero and Mantova, even though a bit of bad luck and a few too many crashes held us back. We are only at the beginning, but the feeling with the bike and the whole Fantic Factory Racing EMX team is already good. The work continues as we fine-tune some more details with the aim of being ready for the opening round of the EMX125 Championship.”
Bertram Thorius | Fantic XX 125 | 7th overall (7-6), 8th in the championship
“Overall, I am quite happy with these pre-season races. We still need to work on some things, but it was another solid weekend here in Mantova. The feeling with the Fantic and everyone on the team is great, and we keep on working for the first EMX125 race.”
