To celebrate the occasion of becoming the official motorcycle supplier to the 99th Giro d’Italia cycle race, to be held between 6th and 29th May, Kawasaki Racing Team invited former Giro winner Damiano Cunego to the Motul Italian Round held at Imola. Unveiling the graphics of the Kawasaki Versys 650 machine that will be used at the Giro, Cunego and reigning WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea had a chance to compare and contrast their sports and exchange items of their riding kit as a souvenir of the occasion. Rea received the new official NIPPO-Vini Fantini team jersey and riding gear from Damiano, while Cunego left Imola with the pair of racing boots that Jonathan used to win both WorldSBK races at Assen recently.

“I exchanged some riding kit with Damiano, who is a legend in the cycling world and who won the Giro d’Italia,” explained Rea. “He is a really nice guy and this was the first time I had met him. It was nice that Kawasaki and WorldSBK made this crossover between World Superbike and cycling. I have a lot of passion for cycling and do a lot of my training on the bicycle. I have become friends with a few professional cyclists and I know their world quite well. I have huge respect for them in the time they put in during training and the sacrifice they make to get to the top. It was cool to make something together and ride together and share our experiences. I hope we will keep in touch and if I can get to the Giro this year maybe I can visit him on one of the stages.”

“I am a great fan of racing, both car and World Superbike,” added Cunego. “But I did not get to know it personally until today. Jonathan I am surprised about after our ride today. The impression I had from TV is more than confirmed. We are linked by the same hobby and both of us work with great Japanese professionals, like my colleagues at NIPPO and Kawasaki in Jonathan’s case. I am not surprised he is world champion. He is a real rider at the top of performance, riding any bike. Today, while we rode together, he was explaining all the secrets of the track. I would like to see him ride the roads we use for the Giro d’Italia race, which now starts in one week. That will be my time to be the protagonist looking for a stage victory.”

Rea will surely be a protagonist in the search for a WorldSBK victory at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, as he enters the Motul Italian Round sharing the record number of victories at the track with Carlos Checa and looks to defend his Championship lead.