The latest from Ducati Xerox: an interview with and the profile of the 2007 FIM 1000 Superstock Cup champion Niccolò Canepa and a gallery with the rider’s podiums and the details of the Ducati Xerox Junior Team’s 1098 S.
One year ago, you were in danger of ending your racing career, but today you are celebrating your first title.
“It has been a really difficult season because I had to battle against a lot of opponents. The operation on my right wrist, the long recovery, school exams, twelve months of a really intense life. I still can’t grasp what I have achieved – I am so excited and incredibly happy.”
On the podium, we saw the same riders who, many years ago, were racing with you in minibikes.
“Yeah, it’s funny to think about that now! Corti, Badovini and I took part in a lot of races together and we were often on the podium…rarely in the same order. It wasn’t easy getting to this point, but I have always worked with serenity, and with the courage of my convictions and the help of reliable people.”
Do you dedicate this victory to anyone in particular?
“The list would be far too long, but first of all I definitely put both my family and Ducati. The former because they have never been against me taking part in this sport and have given me the required serenity to tackle the races in the best possible way. The latter because it is a prestigious company made up of incredibly professional people who can make even the impossible happen. And I mustn’t forget Rossano, Serafino, Dino, all the guys in the team and Brendan and Domenico who I have travelled and raced with throughout the year….it is difficult to remember and dedicate something in particular. A huge thank you to everyone.”
Your future?
“For now, I am going to go to university because I want to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but for the rest, I trust Ducati. They know everything about me, my hopes and how difficult this title was for me to win.”
What will you do now?
“I will celebrate with my team and, as soon as I get back to Genoa, with a lot of friends who have sent me tonnes of messages. I would like to share this happiness with everyone who has taken part in this adventure with me. Then the usual things…study, the love of all the caring people around me and a lot of training to stay in shape with the hope of getting back on the bike as soon as possible.”
Profile of Niccolò Canepa:
Born on May 14, 1988 in Genova, he inherited his love for bikes from his father, a rider from the start of the 1990s. He began racing mini-bikes at 11 years of age, and achieved numerous national victories.
On May 14, 2002, just a few hours after turning 14, Canepa began his adventure in the sport by becoming the youngest person to take part in the 600 Superstock category of the Coppa Italia. The next two years gave him world experience of racing with four-stroke bikes, as he switched between the international 600 Superstock and 1000 classes as well as taking part in several Supersport world championship races. He finally arrived on an international level in 2006.
With the Ducati Xerox Junior Team, Canepa was second in the 600 European Superstock Championship, despite missing the last couple of races due to an injury he suffered in the Italian Championship where he was fighting for the top positions.
This year, Niccolò has scored points in all eleven races of the season. Two wins and six podiums for a total of 161 points out of 275 available. In addition, he has set four pole positions and one fastest lap.
