VOLUME 57 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 P137
forefront of grand prix racing by
a concerted effort, coordinated
between major sponsors, track
owners, race promoters and
sundry luminaries, and orches-
trated by Dorna. It took time,
manpower and plenty of money.
Italy's renaissance, by con-
trast, has been a one-man show.
Rossi heads a tight-knit gang
that does everything to make
racers, both off-track and with
incredibly thorough and hugely
competitive riding training.
So even when he's getting
beaten, Rossi is still winning.
And will continue to do so.
Both Bagnaia and Morbidelli are
very much the real thing, and
both gave full credit to Rossi.
First-time winner Morbidelli
combined humility and pride.
"Thanking him is not enough,"
he said. "To race against him is
a blessing. I want to beat him
because I want to show him he
made a good choice in believing
in me."
How exactly do you teach
someone to win a GP?
Not overnight, and it requires
a mix of basic ingredients. Odd-
ly, natural talent isn't top of the
list. Or at least so I've been told
over the years by several people
who did master the art.
Although obviously a certain
proficiency with the controls,
speed of reaction times and level
of motor skills is required, race-
winning potential is something
that can be developed by appli-
cation. Effort and determination
are the key to serious success.
Not so much "go fast," but "learn
to go fast, then never give up."
Rossi's tuition system is just
exemplary. The VR46 Academy
was founded in 2013, having
grown up from a gang of locals
(the area is a hotbed of motor-
cycle racing talent) playing on
dirt bikes. Rossi and his gang
of astute cohorts formalized the
whole thing, built a splendid per-
manent dirt track, then added
to almost daily riding such other
aspects as English lessons and
legal contract support to develop
fully rounded professional riders.
With Rossi's own talent-spotting
ability plus the inspiration of
riding with the great man, day in
day out (a process that keeps
Valentino sharp, as well) he has
polished a new generation.
Misano's MotoGP podium
pair of Morbidelli and Bagnaia
confirm the conveyor belt up
through the smaller classes,
where there are plenty more of
his pupils already winning races.
At Misano, Marini and Bezzec-
chi took the top two places in
Moto2; while two 2020 Moto3
winners Vietti and Foggia are
also members of a gang that
includes nearly all fast Italians.
Other national groups and
federations are working on the
business. Such enterprises as
the Asia Talent Cup and several
Northern Hemisphere equiva-
lents supplement the Red Bull
Rookies, with varying degrees
of progress. But prepare to
hear the Italian anthem many
more times for the immediate
future. CN
WITH ROSSI'S OWN TALENT-SPOTTING ABILITY
PLUS THE INSPIRATION OF RIDING WITH THE
GREAT MAN, DAY IN DAY OUT (A PROCESS THAT
KEEPS VALENTINO SHARP, AS WELL) HE HAS
POLISHED A NEW GENERATION.
