Posted in Automotive
19th June 2024
As Technical Partners to the Pata Prometeon Yamaha WorldSBK team, and given Minoli’s Italian heritage and interest in all things motorsport, we were especially thrilled to follow their progress in the FIM World Superbike Championship at the Misano Circuit in Italy last weekend.
Minoli was founded in the 1940’s and then incorporated in 1960 by Luigi Minoli, whose parents had emigrated to London from Italy in the late 1800’s. To this day, Minoli enjoys long-standing relationships, some spanning nearly 50 years, with leading Italian production partners based around Imola, Bologna and Modena.
What’s more, Yamaha Motor Europe Research & Development is also based in Italy, in Gerno di Lesmo near Milan. It is where all the WorldSBK project development takes place – so the Italian races are also home rounds for the Pata Prometeon Yamaha team.
Whilst podium places were eventually elusive, local Italian rider Andrea Locatelli took another strong fourth-place finish in the 10-lap Superpole Race, before crossing the line P5 in Race 2.
Teammate Jonathan Rea achieved two top-ten results, which was on hindsight a very positive result, after a high-speed crash on the opening lap of Race 1 that took the Northern Irishman out of the contention.
Team principal, Paul Denning commented, “It was nice to see a big and enthusiastic crowd in Misano this weekend and even if the team was not quite able to achieve the results we were hoping for, which is to be on the podium, we’ve got to be pleased with Loka’s performance in qualifying and all three races… And on JR’s side it’s a positive that he was even able to ride today (in Race 2). His left hand is swollen and very painful, so to grind out two top-ten results has to be seen as a positive based on what could have happened in such a major accident yesterday.”
Some stunning images of the riders in action from the circuit and those with a keen eye will spot the Minoli logo on the back of the bikes….
We wish the team continued success for the rest of the season and for Jonathon Rea to have a speedy recovery and return to full fitness as soon as possible.