Unfortunate outcome for Fantic at a spectacular home GP in Trentino

Fantic Factory Racing faced a challenging weekend at their home Grand Prix in Trentino, despite the excitement generated by a striking one-off livery and a passionate crowd of 36,500 spectators. In the premier MXGP class, Alberto Forato and Brent Van doninck struggled to find their rhythm, with Forato ultimately finishing 16th overall and Van doninck unable to complete the second race following a heavy crash. Forato had shown promise earlier in the weekend, running sixth in qualifying before a minor issue dropped him down the order, while Van doninck was hampered by an ankle injury and a mid-air collision that forced his retirement. The weekend’s results fell short of expectations, particularly for Forato, who had recorded strong top-ten finishes in previous rounds and was eager to deliver a strong performance on home soil. Both riders remain uninjured, with Forato acknowledging the setbacks in both races but expressing optimism about the progress made with the Fantic XXF 450 bike. Van doninck, still recovering from his ankle injury, highlighted the importance of the upcoming four-week break to regain fitness and prepare for the next round in France. In the EMX125 category, the Fantic Factory Racing team experienced mixed fortunes but showed encouraging signs of development. Gennaro Utech secured his best result of the season with seventh overall after recovering from a mid-pack start in race two, while Bertram Thorius demonstrated strong pace but was hampered by crashes that limited him to 11th place overall. Despite the setbacks, Thorius remains fourth in the championship standings, reflecting a promising start to the season for the young Danish rider. Both Utech and Thorius remain focused on building consistency and capitalising on their potential as the team prepares for the next MXGP round in France. The upcoming break offers an opportunity for recovery and refinement, with riders and team alike aiming to convert their evident speed and capability into more consistent race results. The weekend in Trentino, while disappointing in terms of outcomes, underscored the resilience and determination within the Fantic squad as they continue their campaign.