MotoE™ recharged for debut at Mugello
Posted on May 25, 2022 by MotoGP™
The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup is now two rounds down and plenty to go, and this weekend the series arrives at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello to face down the stunning Tuscan circuit for the first time ever. It’s a fan and rider favourite, and the field is recharged and ready for more as competition in MotoE™ continues to get closer and closer.
It’s Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) who heads the standings on the way in after the Swiss rider took a podium and a first win of the season in France, and he’ll be pushing to keep that rolling. Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), who did the double in Jerez before a tougher but potentially important points-producing weekend in France, will be one of the first pushing to depose Aegerter, however, and the likes of Granado’s teammate Miquel Pons and Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) will also want a lot more from Mugello.
And then there are the Italians. Home turf is something special and the same can be said of Mugello alone, so it’ll be a big weekend for the home heroes. Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) arrives from a great weekend at Le Mans including what had been an elusive first win, so he’ll be pushing hard, and 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) will be eager to fight for the podium and victory. He knows the feeling on home turf, having already won many a MotoE™ race at Misano.
Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse), meanwhile, may not have a podium to show for it yet but had some incredible speed in Le Mans. The Italian was on the front row and fought for the win to the final corner in Race 1 before late heartbreak, and in Race 2 he only just lost out to compatriot Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™) in the fight for third. For Canepa though, that was also a first electric podium so he’ll be on a high on the way in, too. What can they do?
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) also took a first podium on Saturday in France and will be keen to try and stay in that front postcode, and the grid awaits news of Bradley Smith’s return too. The Brit is recovering from his crash at the 24h of Le Mans, but could be back in WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ colours this weekend at Mugello. 2020 and 2021 Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40), meanwhile, is also looking to return – or said he was on the grid in France. Can the Spaniard ride this weekend?
As ever there are two more races to enjoy at Mugello, with the first seeing the lights go out on Saturday at 16:25 (GMT+2). Race 2 starts at 15:30 on Sunday, and don’t forget to tune in for qualifying on Friday at 16:50, the latter live and free on YouTube.