Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

D avide Trolli arly this season, at various types of off-road races all over the country, the top American riders could be seen holding secret huddles in the pits, speaking in hushed tones and glancing furtively over their shoulders. The conversations usually went something like this: Rider 1: "Did you see that Kawasaki rider with weird gear? The fast one? Who the hell is he?" Rider 2: "You mean the guy who's built like the Incredible Hulk? I don't E know." 16 Rider 3: "I don't know either, but when I said 'Hi' to him at the gas stop, he answered 'Chow.' I wonder if he was hungry." In fact, the rider in question is not especially large of chest, and does not normally like to consume all 'th at much food at gas stops. His name is Davide TrolIi (pronounced DAHvee-deh TROE-lee) , and like most Italians, he wears his chest protector under his jersey and says "Ciao" instead of "Hi." While not yet a household name in the States, Trolli has enjoyed more than his fair share of success overseas. His extended "vacation" in America has not yet rewarded him with a win, but Trolli has been turning a lot of heads, and as the other riders get used to him, those secret huddles are becoming less and less frequent. Trolli is earning a name for himself in the States. How did you get started in racing motorcycles? I think that all kids want to ride motorcycles, in Italy and America, too. No one in my family rode, which was strange, because many Italians ride motorcycles. But in Castel San Giovanni, where I live, there was a group of kids who raced motorcycles. I would hang around with them, and pretty soon I started wanting to ride. My very first motorcycle was a trials SO, which I got in '82. I never raced that year, but I got a Fanlic 80 in '83 and started to race enduros. I slowly began to improve. You're almost 27, and you've been very successful in Europe. What made you decide to come and race in America? I was tired of racing in Europe. I've won Italian Championships, World Championships and international races. In '91 and '92, I got the chance to race in the African rallies for Cagiva. I thought that those races might be my future. But the cigarette companies saw the sport losing popularity and pulled their sponsorships, and many riders were left without a ride. Cagiva was sponsored by Lucky Strike and they had a team of four riders, but after the sponsors left they didn't have enough money for even one. Hardly anyone participated in the African rallies the past few years. Now it seems like some people are starting to compete in those races again, but it will never be like it was before. The problem is ~::-:::-:j~ that it costs too much to race in Africa. looking for You can't just count the motorcycle; there's also the assistance, which might an Italian rider to come race in include an airplane. The costs are very America. He said: "I make a lot of prodhigh. Lucky Strike still sponsors Husqucts in Italy that are used by the Americans. I would also like to have a rider varna's enduro team, but it costs much that could tell me how things are going less. With the money it takes to support there." one rider for a season in Africa, they can probably support an enduro team of Franco called Bill (Berreth, head of three or four riders for four years. CagiAcerbis USA), and he started checking va had to find another sponsor like around to see if any teams would take Lucky Strike, and they couldn't find me. In February, I came to America to one. They needed someone like Martini, talk with Team Green, KTM, ATK and but they were already sponsoring LanHonda. I was really interested in racing cia in the car class. I saw my future diswith Honda, because I met Bruce Ogilvie at the Nevada Rally. They were appearing. too small, though, and at that point I was talking with Franco Acerbis (President of Acerbis ltalia and organizTeam Green gave me a very good offer. er of the Nevada Rally), and he said, It was late, so I was very lucky to get the "This year, come with me and race in offer. Thanks to Kawasaki, I was able to Nevada. He paid for my entry and come to America for my new experieverything (in '93). I got a good bike ence. I was able to come up with a small from XR's Only. When the rally was finbudget that would let me live in Ameriished, Franco Saw that the race had gone ca this year. Alpineslars, Tip Transports and Acerbis all gave me money. I also pretty well for me. He offered me the chance for the next year - this year - to have a lot of other sponsors that give me come and race in America. He said, "I'll parts, but no money. help you if you want to do it." He was Do you make less money now than when you were in Italy? Yes, I hardly make any money now. I use all the money I do make for living expenses. In Italy, I didn't need money for living, because I lived at home. I had a car and a truck, and everything I needed. Now my money is used to pay the rent, pay for my truck, gas, and going to the races. In Europe I had a fixed salary from KTM, plus what I won at the races, and everything was paid for. Some racers are able to make a living in' America, like Larry Roeseier and Danny Hamel. I don 't know about the others. (In Europe), a good rider, who could win a World Enduro Championship, could make from 30,000 to 50,000 dollars a year. Have you passed the peak of your career yet? I think tha t the peak of my technical ability to ride a motorcycle was in 1990 and 1991. After that, I might have lost something racing in the African rallies, because those races are very different. They ride huge motorcycles, and the speeds are very high. You may go for three days in one direction . You lose the abili tY to brake and comer. I think I may have lost something for enduros, Now I'm slowly trying to find it, but it is difficult. How do you like living in America? I like living here. It is a very interesting experience for me, especial· Iy since I have the opportunity to know different people and new ways of life. and maybe learn a little English. The only thing I don't like is that they I'u! too much ice in your water (laughs). I like it because you can buy anything, whenever you want. Gas stations are always open. In Europe you have to wait until they're open. I've met people who were very friendly, and people who weren't quite so friendly, like anywhere in the world. What made you decide to live in Hesperia (a town in Southern California's high desert)? Maybe if I was coming here for vacation I would have chosen a different place, nearer to the beach. But I came to America to race motorcycles, and Hesperia gives me the possibility to train. In five minutes you're out in the desert/ and you can find whatever you want. It doesn't cost as much to live here as some other places , which lets me save some money. Also, Larry Roeseler and

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