Fok Motorclub [SC deel 130]

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19-11-2004
THE TUONO AT MACAO, WE GIVE THE WORD TO CANTALUPO.



Just two days before the Macau Grand Prix and Giorgio Cantalupo, absolutely qualified and atop his Tuono 1000 R, tells us the secrets of the track and about the far-away atmosphere of this very special road race.
All the info about the Gp are also available at the link at the bottom of the page.

Giorgio, tell us about the characteristics of the circuit.
The Guia Circuit is characterized by three, fairly fast straight-aways where I get up to about 240 km/h, and happens to be very “driven” which particularly suits the Tuono.

What role does the climate play?
The temperature is pretty hot: a constant 20° without a steady breeze. This aspect is also favorable to the Tuono when racing at high speeds.

Which parts of the course are technically decisive?
Definitely the “driven” part, where the superb manageability of the motorcycle emerges. Regarding the rest, since they straight-aways are not extremely long like at the Tourist Trophy, the disadvantage is that you feel the careening of the motorcycle, but not as heavily as at the TT.

How many riders are there so far?
There were forty-one of us during the official trials, but in the starting grid they only allowed the riders who 110% of the time are in the pole position. This year this number very low and close to the absolute course record. I made it, and now we await the race!

What is the atmosphere surrounding the event?
It is a great atmosphere even if the level of fervor isn’t the same as at the TT, you still feel completely at ease although far away from home. The professionalism of the organizers is great and the part which strikes me the most is the curiosity and interest for the Tuono of both the fans and the employees. Just yesterday at the end of my practice run, we brought the motorcycle to the Pit Lane to take some pictures and were literally besieged by a crowd who ran to admire the Aprilia. The excitement of the fans was so much that it was hard to bring the Tuono back to the box.

How did you prepare yourself, physically and otherwise, for this event?
I follow a training plan to stay in shape which helps me a lot, but unfortunately I am suffering from jetlag. But don’t worry, everything will be fine!!!

What are the biggest difficulties in participating in such a race?
The track isn’t difficult to memorize but it does take a while to learn its secrets. Luckily an English friend that I met at the TT has raced here for many years and took me out on a run with his car to give me some helpful hints which proved to be precious during my trial runs.

What important modifications to the Tuono have been implemented?
The Tuono that I use is pretty much a standard motorcycle – proof of the validity of the project – and has the same configuration that I used at the TT with the exception of a few small modifications to the engine: the adoption of throttle bodies with a larger diameter and a racing exhaust pipe. The mechanical configuration is the same as at the TT, which, combined with the excellent grip of the slick, Pirelli tyres, makes my Tuono a truly great motorcycle.

The motorcycle is well-suited to the characteristics of the track?
Absolutely, the huge mechanical endowments and the engine power allow me to stay up with the monstrous SBK and Supersport. Many of these motorcycles arrive directly from the world championships and are entrusted in the hands of the most expert of specialists, saying a lot about the enormous level of competition that we have reached. It is a total satisfaction for us to be able to measure ourselves against the best and while leaving other competitors in our dust.

What kind of final performance do you envision for yourself?
My first goal was to qualify and I assure you that it wasn’t a walk in the park, just have to look at how many riders unfortunately were left out due to the astronomical pole position of McGuinness. Yet, we are well-qualified and during the race the level of grit will be, as always, at its highest. AND GAS!!!

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Op woensdag 24 november 2004 21:30 schreef PeuRac het volgende:
Ooit zullen jullie nog wel leren echte SC topic's te maken

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Op woensdag 24 november 2004 21:34 schreef hollander172 het volgende:
Lapzwans van een TS, waar blijft mijn avatar?

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Op woensdag 24 november 2004 21:34 schreef hollander172 het volgende:
Kijk even terug naar de eerste paar dat waren echt goeie SC topics. Jammer dat dat niet meer gedaan wordt.

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Op woensdag 24 november 2004 21:42 schreef hollander172 het volgende:
Ja dag, wel een volvo avatar aanpassen en dan geen tijd vrij maken voor je motormaatje?

Het is mooi met je, laat maar zitten.

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Op woensdag 24 november 2004 21:46 schreef hollander172 het volgende:
Jij had zoveel kritiek...........

Nu klink je net als Stephan trouwens.