Rinaldi: "It was worth the wait"
Italian overjoyed to take STK1000 title in difficult race
Following three tough races towards the end of the European Superstock 1000 Championship, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) was able to bounce back to take the title in Spain this weekend.
Faced with a mountain to climb as he started from the fifth row of the grid, Rinaldi was able to keep a cool head and ride a smart race as he rivals were pushing hard for the fight. Florian Marino (Pata Yamaha Official STK1000 Team) was involved in a crash in the opening laps which ruled him out of contention, and as Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawaskai Puccetti Racing) was fighting for the podium, all the Italian had to do was keep a cool head and he was able to cross the line in the top six. As a result, the 21 year old took the title by eight points.
Noting the importance of the support he receives behind the scenes, Rinaldi explains: “It was worth the wait, the last three races have been very difficult and we have been struggling a lot. But yesterday we found our way, but we were unlucky I broke some parts of the engine so I started on the fifth row. In the race I was going up and up, but Guarnoni passed me two or three times very hard and on the third time he touched me, so I had to break very hard and I couldn’t go to battle with the first group.
For me this championship is unbelievable, I want to think my team, friends, family and girlfriend. Everyone sees the races, but behind there is a lot of hard work, so thank you.”
Re-watch some of the stunning on track action from the 2017 STK1000 season, all with the WorldBK VideoPass.
