WORLD CUP SICC

BIREL’S AND LAUDATO’S TRIUMPH

THE BIREL COLOURS HAVE CONQUERED AN OUTSTANDING SERIES OF WORLD CLASS VICTORIES IN THE 125 CATEGORY: SINCE 1997, NO OTHER MANUFACTURER HAS MANAGED TO STOP THIS HEGEMONY BOUND TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

Sarno (Italy) September 4th - The Birel Motorsport team arrived at the most important event of the season fully aware of its high technical potential. And Francesco Laudato did not fall short of expectations: after having run excellent qualifiers, he won the Pre Final conquering a start from the pole for the Finals. Next to him was Cozzaglio, while Benedetti and Toninelli started from the 2nd row. Sauro Cesetti, who had suffered the failure of his radiator two laps from the end, was forced to withdraw and started from the 27th position, whereas Gandolfi, having been out of luck in the qualifiers, did a bit better and ended 23rd. Among the Birel drivers, Solgat attained a good 11th placing and Mich made up ground to the 14th place.

At the start of the Finals, Laudato led the way and built up his success already during the first laps resisting to Benedetti’s pressure, who could initially benefit from the superior efficacy of his tyres (Dunlop). The Tony Kart drivers disturbed each other, there was a scrimmage and Cozzaglio paid for it: he lost his front spoiler and was forced to stop at the pit. Toninelli overtook Benedetti and got soon right behind Laudato. From the rear, instead, Ennio Gandolfi and Sauro Cesetti were catching up ground like mad. In particular, Gandolfi raced on qualification timings and overtaking an incredible number of drivers, including his team-mate Cesetti. At the end of the race Cesetti was 10th, while Gandolfi ended up 7th, knowing that, if he had started the race just a few placings ahead on the starting grid, he could have bidden farewell to his 20-year-long milieu as a driver directly from the podium. The podium, instead, witnessed Laudato celebrating his second World title. A clear-cut and well-deserved success, confirming the Birel technology at the top of the categories with gear box.