GIVI Magazine - Giugno 2021

ENGLISH TEXT Without overlooking the championship itself, we wanted to take a closer look at the relationship between rider and... electric motorcycle; the way it feels, the riding style, and the technical differences with respect to the MotoGP lightning bolts with their conventional engine. On hand to help us out with this are Kevin Zannoni and Miquel Pons, two riders who are currently competing for the LCR E-Team, in GIVI colours. The story began in early March, when LCR Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello presented the new E-Team to the press and announced its partnership with GIVI, the main sponsor in this competition. Competing in the MotoE championship in addition to the MotoGP is a real challenge for the team, but it is also a unique opportunity that offers preferential insight into the “push” that the automotive sector is making. And GIVI, in addition to its historic MotoGP partnership, is also involved on this front, in a project that has strategic significance for the company, aside from the obvious visibility, considering the interest our brand has in the future of everyday two-wheel mobility. The increased numbers of electrically- powered motorcycles and scooters that we are already seeing in our cities are a clear sign. The 2021 MotoE championship, which got underway at the Angel Nieto circuit of Jerez on 2nd of May, will play out over seven rounds. The season finale will take place in Italy, on 19th of September, with a double-header event at the Misano World Circuit. THE RIDERS’ VIEWS The riders’ feedback, provided both in this video interview that followed the winter tests and after the first two championship rounds, paints an interesting picture. Both come to their ENERGICA electric race bikes as ‘rookies’, but they each have a wealth of experience with “conventional” race bikes. 23-year-old Miquel Pons was runner-up in the Spanish ESBK Supersport championship in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. He has also competed in World SSP and the Spanish Moto2 championship. 20-year-old Kevin Zannoni was Italian Moto3 champion in 2018 and 2019 but has also raced in the FIM CEV Repsol series and competed as a wild card in the Moto3 World Championship. We interviewed them for you in our showroom. MOTOE WORLD CUP - LCR E-TEAM AND GIVI TOGETHER ON TRACK! WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE INTERVIEW Lucio Cecchinello - LCR E-Team Principal “Another team LCR E chapter now begins with Miquel Pons and Kevin Zannoni. Both riders are very young, which means they have less experience compared to some MotoE competitors, but I know that young riders bring a lot of energy and motivation and their desire to grow is often greater. So, we expect a season in which we’ll give them a little time to “get to know” the category but then, considering they’ve proved so competitive in the categories in which they’ve previously competed, I really think we can obtain excellent results come the second part of the season. I want to take the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our main sponsor GIVI and all our partners, for both the faith they put in us and their fundamental support.” Giuseppe Visenzi - GIVI Founder “We are pleased to support LCR in the MotoE™ project, proudly exhibiting GIVI colours also on the LCR E-Team’s bikes. In strengthening the close relationship that we have shared with Team LCR since 1998, this operation is of real strategic significance to us. As we look to the future, GIVI is very interested in exploring the electric motorcycle business, as we believe it will be a growing automotive segment that will become part of the everyday mobility of thousands of citizens around the world.” Kevin Zannoni “I’m really excited to be part of team LCR. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was young, to compete in a category with riders from all over the world... And now, it has finally coming true. I come from Moto3 and the MotoE is obviously a very different bike but I’ll work hard to understand it and be competitive. I want to thank Lucio for the opportunity and my family for always supporting me. I can’t wait!” Miquel Pons “I’m really pleased to be part of the team LCR family in the MotoE World Cup. It’s a great opportunity for me and I want to make the most of it. I want to thank Lucio for believing in me, the Hernandez family and Nobby Ueda for having helped me with this, and also my family and everyone who supports me each day.” “IN THE RACE, I’LL HAVE TO RE-ADAPT MY RIDING STYLE TO THE MOTORCYCLE. CHANGING THE SET-UP WILL ALLOW US TO BE QUICKER. IN THE THIRD RACE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP, MIQUEL PONS FINISHED FIRST, DEMONSTRATING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF STYLE AND CONFIDENCE WITH THE BIKE. WE’VE SEEN THAT THE E-POLE HAS TO BE MANAGED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.” “YOU FEEL YOU’RE RIDING A BIKE THAT IS HEAVIER... BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY SO. IT HANDLES REALLY WELL. YOU QUICKLY GAIN CONFIDENCE. I LIKE THE LEFT-HAND REAR BRAKE. CONTROLLABLE CHANGES OF DIRECTION. IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL, THE BIKE CAN WHEELIE WHEN YOU SET OFF. THEN YOU GET USED TO IT THE ACCELERATION IS INSANE!” 8 Team MotoE