.gpc - gianluca nannelli interview
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gianluca nannelli - W-SBK / SS
Gianluca Nannelli - Team Pedercini Ducati
I met Gianluca Nannelli - Team Pedercini Ducati - in the pits during Friday's Practice at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit during practice day ahead of round 2 of the World Superbike 2004 World Championship.
Fortunately Gianluca's English was better than my Italian but between the two we managed to have a nice chat about race travel. I asked him where he liked to visit whilst traveling with World Superbikes?
"Phillip Island, I love, also Spain and Monza, near my home, is beautiful. I like the place around Misano also, but the track I don't like so much. For riding I like Assen. Assen is the 'university' for race riders. And here in Phillip Isalnd, I like too much. We go out at 7am in the morning for surfing! (In Bass Strait, which the circuit overlooks) It is fantastic to come here! But Laguna Seca also near the sea, is very pretty to visit too. Everywhere is nice, but near the sea, for me is nicest."
I wondered where Gianluca kept his surf board. "I have it here, in the pits.". He pointed to the board in the corner, confirming this wasn't just "story telling".
And who were Gianluca's heroes on the track?
"Haga, very much!"
Do you talk with him on the tour?
"No, but I meet him on the track!" There was a sense that it was an honor to race beside such talent.
And what other delights does the road hold for a playboy surfer race rider?
"I am Italian so I like very much good good. I like to eat the great food you find in the Emiliga Romana region near Imola."
We got to chatting a little about the craziest race fans in the world. "In Assen Holland, for sure they are crazy for bikes. Maybe because the weather is so bad when we race there, but still they come, many many fans. But Italians are crazy for racing too, and for me, an Italian rider, it is great to see so many countrymen at the races supporting me and other Italian riders. I love to see the world, I am very lucky to do so, but I love to be in Italy most.
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