The pilot chosen by the Trentino Gresini Racing team to debut in the World Championship MotoE is Lorenzo Savadori (who will join his team-mate Matteo Ferrari). Born in Cesena the 4 April of the '93, Savadori has to his credit a European 125 title, three seasons in the World 125, the World Superstock 1000 title of the 2015 and three seasons as a protagonist in the World Superbike Championship, where he does not hide his desire for a place yet . In the meantime, however, after the after-effects of the collarbone injury have been resolved, he is about to make his debut with enthusiasm at the wheel of an electric motorcycle: a new adventure, with which he began to gain confidence in the first tests in Jerez. To draw conclusions it is really too early, even considering that in Jerez it was raining and the team had only one bike at their disposal, to be shared with Matteo Ferrari, smashing the laps. The first sensations are very interesting, because it is really about entering a new world: this is what Lorenzo told us about the most discussed points.
1. The weight: do you think the MotoE can you ask for more physical driving than other bikes?
Yes. Objectively weight feels a little at all stages of driving. A hundred pounds more are not few: they mainly affect braking, but you can feel them throughout the distribution of the curve.
2. The noise (which is not there). How important is engine noise for a professional driver?
Well, the ear on the track is used, even if you have the caps: on exiting the curve, for example, you can hear how the bike behaves, if it's going to "start", just because the noise of the engine. With the motoE it's all different, and it won't be easy to get used to it. In addition, with such a silent bike you don't feel if you have someone behind or overtaking, you actually don't feel anything: a remarkable change!
3. The brake. Some riders, such as Smith, have asked to evaluate the possibility of moving the rear brake on the left handlebar, since it is free since there is no clutch lever. The organization has said that it will be discussed with the pilots at the next texts in March, what is your idea?
Yes, it has been discussed. Pilots who have been able to try more than me have a clearer idea, I have to go around it a little bit to focus my feelings
4. The strategy. Short races await you, with relatively few variables in the set-up, but also little time to try. What will it be important to focus on to be fast?
Certainly you cannot do on the electric bike the adjustments that can be made, instead, on an SBK bike, there is not all the talk of electronics or traction control, which take up a lot of work time during the race weekend . So we need to understand how to make a difference, but I repeat, I need to go around it a bit.
5. The coach. Manuel Poggiali will be part of the Gresini team, will you work together?
Yup! I've never worked with him before, we're talking about how to set up work. Certainly a driver of the caliber and experience of Manuel (131 races held in the MotoGP, 35 podiums, two-time world champion, in 125 and 250, ed) is an important added value. I'm glad he's in the team.
