Page 11 - Le Roi aux 15 Couronnes

1961
> 175cc Morini 2nd
What memories do you have of your first race ?
I have fantastic memories. The Morini dealer in Bergamo lent me a motorcycle. I showed up for this hill climb about a hundred kilometres from my home with my mechanic Pepino. He was the baker from my village of Lovere.
I remember that shortly before the race, the spark plug needed replacing and
he didn’t know how to do it, but he was my mechanic! (Laughter.)
I left with only one bag. My father didn’t help me and didn’t give me money for therace–Ihadtogetby.
We’d brought chops, sachets for making sparkling water and three to four kilos of bread made by my mechanic-baker.
This kept us going for the three days of the competition.
I came second out of 40 participants. For a first race, it was a very good result.
I loved motorbiking, I knew how to ride, but I would never have imagined finishing second, with a private bike, a normal bike which anyone could buy. It was like a victory for me.
So yes, this second place, which is my first victory in my heart, is a fantastic memory – I’d got something back.
1re coupe remportée en 1953 à 11 ans lors de la course de côte Malegno-Borno sur 250cc Moto Guzzi.
1st cup won in 1953 at the age of 11 during the Malegno-Borno hill climb on a 250cc Moto Guzzi.
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