"Before we talk about sports results of our riders, the thought of Nolan Group goes to the family of Andrea Antonelli, who tragically died in the race of Supersport 600, to which we send our deepest condolences. RIP ANDREA."
Marco Melandri and his Nolan X-802R are back on the top of the podium in race 1 of the Moscow GP. Also on the podium a surprising Badovini (X-lite X-802R) finished third in a race where the weather conditions have made it more difficult and exciting. Weather conditions have also caused the tragic death of Andrea Antonelli in Supersport race when he dramatically crashed in the straight, in the middle of a cloud of water that prevented visibility. All the races were then rightly cancelled.
In addition to Marco and Ayrton, also positive results for Fabrizio fifth, seventh Neukirchner, Camier ninth and eleventh Sandi. It should be emphasized instead the unfortunate weekend of Checa suffered a bad crash in the straight, in practice, with a problem with his bike and for the other crash during the first lap of the race.
Melandri is now 3rd in championship.
Next race, 4th August at Silverstone.
Marco Melandri, Nolan X-802R and BMW Team:
“It is a sad Sunday for the FIM Superbike World Championship. The Russian round at “Moscow Raceway” is overshadowed by a fatal accident in the World Supersport race. The whole BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team sends its sincere condolences to the family and the team of Italian rider Andrea Antonelli, who died this afternoon in a tragic crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in these difficult times. This devastating news has made the sporting aspects secondary. After the incident, it was decided to cancel the activities scheduled for the rest of the day”.
Ayrton Badovini, X-lite X-802R:
“Today was an important day for me, having achieved my first podium with team Ducati Alstare and the first for the Panigale in this championship. The race was really hard and conditions were difficult. We knew we’d have good pace if it were wet and everything went as I had hoped. My guys did a fantastic job, my pit-stop was really fast and, back on track, I was really able to push. I’m sorry Francis was unable to be here with us this weekend but above all I am sorry for the accident in Supersport and for the tragedy involving Antonelli. It’s impossible to revel in a podium finish when something of this magnitude happens.”
Carlos Checa, X-lite X-802R:
“It was a day to forget, mainly due to what happened in Supersport and the tragic passing of Antonelli. To talk about my race almost seems superfluous and I want to send my condolences to his family, what a terrible tragic accident. Getting back to race 1, I found myself in the air without knowing why; I had already worked out how I wanted to enter the turn when Cluzel hit me. There was nothing I could do, and I found myself in the gravel, hitting my head hard again. After the race I went to get checked over in the Clinica Mobile because I had cut my right arm. There the doctors realized that I was having problems focusing, some blurred vision, and then I also suffered some nausea, so very probably I wouldn’t have been able to participate in race 2.”
Michel Fabrizio, X-lite X-802R e Red Devils Team:
"Unfortunately, each result loses any meaning and importance to the drama of the pilot Andrea Antonelli, who lost his life in a tragic accident in the first lap of the race in the Supersport class. In the face of such a terrible event, Team Red Devils and Michel Fabrizio, huddle around the family of Andrea in the darkest moment of their lives.
We live in a beautiful world, doing and telling the things that we enjoy most. For dramas like these there is no consolation, if not the commitment to fight to ensure that all those who make us dream with their talent and their sporting achievements, they may do it in the safest of all possible worlds."
