24 May 2022 – Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello – Italy

The Italian Grand Prix represents for Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing the home GP and it is always a pleasure to return to the hills of Tuscany, on this wonderful circuit.

This year moreover the joy of returning home is enhanced by the event that will be held this Friday, when the legendary career of our Team Owner Max Biaggi will be celebrated.
In fact Friday Max will officially enter the Hall of Fame MotoGP, with the MotoGP Legend title. Max has won 6 World Titles in his career, including 4 in the 250 class and 2 in the WSBK ! 63 are the races won, 182 podiums, 61 Pole and 6 fast laps. As a further seal, Sunday before the MotoGP race, there will be a lap around the track by our Team Owner.

Returning to the news of our season in Moto3, in the last races we are reaping the fruits of a long work, started in the winter tests, thanks to which our Ayumu reached the fifth position in the Championship ranking. In addition in the last GP we had the great return on track of John, who after the debut Grand Prix in Qatar missed 5 consecutive races, due to an injury to the vertebrae. Our two riders in the previous GP have both reached the points zone. Ayumu fought for the victory, missed for a few thousandths. In fact our Japanese driver, four corners from the end came up with a wonderful overtaking, thanks to which he almost gained the highest step of the podium. Ayumu got three podiums this year and, in the races where he crossed the finish line, his worst result was a sixth place.

In France John returned to race after a long break, crossing the finish line in twelfth position. Throughout the weekend he showcased all his experience and step by step he regained confidence riding his Husqvarna. He was always among the fastest and in the race, he finished just three seconds from the winner. Understandably in the last laps of the race he suffered a bit of physical fatigue, due to the long stop. On the hills of Mugello our British driver can continue his rapprochement to the leading positions.

A last mention goes to the wonderful circuit, which for years has hosted the Italian Grand Prix. The Mugello International Circuit is one of the most popular tracks for drivers. In fact, it follows the particular orography of the territory and offers beautiful ups and downs, which are enhanced by curves of all kinds. The track is 5245 m long and has 6 curves to the right and nine to the left. The longest straight is the starting one and measures 1141 m. It hosts the World Championship continuously since 1991.

We leave you to the words of Ayumu, John and our Team Owner Max Biaggi.

AYUMU SASAKI : “I am very excited to go to Mugello, after the good performance at Le Mans. It’s one of the most beautiful tracks, where I finished fourth last year. I’m very confident. The bike is also going very well, in fact our basic set-up so far has adapted well to the various tracks. I can’t wait to get started. For the team it’s a home race and I want to fight for a good result. We will do our best.”

JOHN MCPHEE : “It was so nice to be back racing and with my team in LeMans. I feel like we had a solid first weekend back and now I’m really looking forward to the next two races back to back starting in Mugello. It’s always a special place with so much atmosphere and one of the nicest tracks on the calendar to ride. I’m looking to keep building into in to be at the sharp end as soon as we can.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “It is always a pleasure to race in Italy and above all it is very nice to return on this wonderful track. Mugello always has a special charm, thanks to which it is considered by all one of the most beautiful tracks in the world. Even if only for a lap, it will be an honor for me to brush the curves of this circuit again.”

Statistics

In 2022 the Moto3 race was won by D. Foggia. J. Masia and G. Rodrigo completed the podium. 1’57.188 is the fastest lap of the race, obtained by S. Garcia, at an average of 161.1 Km/h. T. Suzuki got the Pole, with a time of 1’56.001 and an average of 162.7 Km/h.

For Ayumu his best result on this track is a fourth place, obtained last year. The best result for John is the sixth place, obtained both in 2017 and 2019.

Here are the track records. 1’56.001 at an average of 162.7 km/h, is the Best Pole obtained by T. Suzuki in 2021, which also represents the All Time Lap Record. The Best Race Lap belongs since 2018 to F. Di Giannantonio, who got the time of 1’56.628, at the average of 161.8 km/h. 248.1 km/h is the Top Speed reached in 2019 by K. Toba.

Schedule – Local Time (GMT +2)

Here are the times to follow our riders and not to miss the ceremony when our Team Owner will enter the MotoGP Hall of Fame as a MotoGP Legend.

Thursday 26 May
17:00 – Press Conference

Friday 27 May
09:00 – 09:40 – FP1 Moto3
12:30 – 13:00 – Max Biaggi MotoGP™ Legend Ceremony
13:15 – 13:55 – FP2 Moto3

Saturday 28 May
09:00 – 09:40 – FP3 Moto3
12:35 – 12:50 – Q1 Moto3
13:00 – 13:15 – Q2 Moto3

Sunday 29 May
09:00 – 09:10 – Warm-Up Moto3
11:00 – Gara Moto3
13:20 – Max Biaggi track tour with aprilia RSW 250