What are doing together the world champion of Superbike and the winner of the Giro d’Italia 2004 on track at Imola? With the occasion of the presentation of the official motorbike of Giro d’Italia by Kawasaki, the UK champion of Superbike and Damiano Cunego have been unveiling the special edition Giro d’Italia jersey of the NIPPO Vini Fantini team.
Autodromo di Imola, 28th of April 2016.
Looking forward to the week-end of Superbike in Imola, the world champion Jonathan Rea, official biker of Kawasaki, have been doing a very special training, with two wheels, but with no engine at all, on his bike. With him on track Damiano Cunego, riding his bike designed by Pininfarina, made by De Rosa, wearing the great new special edition Jersey, made by MS Tina and unveiled to the sports fans of two wheels, both Superbike and Bike fans in a very unconventional way.
The official jersey, realized with the traditional #OrangeBlue, but reviews by the design, will be used by the team only for the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Japan, the most important events of team calendar. Damiano Cunego give as present also one of the brand new jersey to the Supewrbike driver, signed by him, receiving as gift from Jonathan Rea a wonderful tracksuit of Kawasaki.
The event took place in Imola, this Thursday 28th of April. Organized by Kawasaki and Giro d’Italia for a special Test Drive of the new Official Moto of the Giro d’Italia, that will be on the road from 6th to 29th of May for the pink ride. The new Kawasaki Kawasaki Versys 650 and the two champions went together on track. In fact for a real test drive fast riders where needed.
The first, Jonathan Rea, usually well known for speed as Superbike World Champion, but not on his usual Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10r, but on his bike. With him, to push the level of this “competition” the winner of 48 races, among the the Giro d’Italia 2004, and now captain of the only Italian-Japanese team of cycling: Damiano Cunego.
Damiano Cunego comments with this words the event:
"To ride inside a motor track as Imola is always something particular, in a special way for me as engine and race addicted! As many people knows, the Rally racing is my second passion, but also motorbike races are very engaging for me. The riders are crazy as much as us and the Superbike is fantastic with many overtaking. Today I really enjoyed to know personally Jonathan Rea and to wear my new special edition jersey, thanks to MS Tina. I can’t stand to wear it again for a simple reason. When I will do it I will be starting Giro d’Italia. For me his a big honor to take part to the pink ride. I’ve been preparing so much to be at the top of my condition for the Giro d’Italia, where I want to win at least one stage.”
Francesco Pelosi, the General Manager of the team:
“The Japanese world is always more important for us, we made a great presentation in Kawasaki, Japanese partner of the Giro d’Italia 2016, with our new official jersey, in special edition Giro d’Italia and Tour of Japan, because they are the two most important races of our European and Asian calendar. The most important news is the introduction of the white on the jersey, in honor of the NIPPO Corporation main color, without loosing our main identity #OrangeBlue.”
Also Jonathan Rea unveil is passion for the cycling world:
In the Superbike, is always more and more important to be a complete rider, with a great sports preparation. For this reason I began to ride, just for training. But then I discovered the social aspect of riding, I’ve been knowing many friends and Pro riders, having fun together while riding. So I start also following the cycling and last year I went on Giro d’Italia roads climbing Abetone just before pro riders did. In Uk the most followed race is Tour de France, but I love people on roads of the Giro d’Italia.
For the 2016 Giro my favorite rider is Vincenzo Nibali, so quiet and serious outside, but so motivated when on his bike riding for winning. In my opinion for Landa can be too early to be the leader of SKY in a great tour, lots of pressure, we will see. This year I will be also a supporter of Damiano Cunego, I think he could win a stage, maybe also more than one. If I will come to see one stage I hope to see him winning.”