From Pini to Vuono: the future of Italian motorcycling is in good hands

It’s no secret that 2022 was a truly triumphant year for Italy, with Francesco Bagnaia and Andrea Verona crowned MotoGP and Enduro world champions (and awarded the CONI Collaro d'Oro) and Ducati securing the constructors’ title in both the world championship and WorldSBK. But there were also many young talents who stood out in the junior categories, names such as Guido Pini, Gabriel Fabio Vuono, Filippo Farioli and Luca Lunetta.

 

Pini and Vuono, champions at Valencia like Pecco

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The Valencia track was the stage for many important Italian achievements. As well as the aforementioned Bagnaia, within the space of two weeks Guido Pini and Gabriel Fabio Vuono also won international titles at the Spanish circuit. The latter, on the very same weekend that Pecco secured the title, took part in the MiniGP World Series, an international final with the winners of the various national series, and was crowned world champion, following up in his previous win in the CIV Junior, where he competed with the Ohvale 160.

Guido Pini also got the job done at Valencia. After a stellar season in the European Talent Cup, in which he battled all year long against Spaniard Joel Esteban, the young Tuscan rider lifted the championship trophy. The number 93 rider will remain in ETC in 2023 as he sets out to defend his title, although Edoardo Boggio (with team Aspar) will undoubtedly be another frontrunner.

 

Farioli and Lunetta, the next stars of Moto3

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Although not quite as young as Vuono and Pini, Filippo Farioli and Luca Lunetta also enjoyed a standout season in 2022. The pair competed in both the Red Bull Rookies Cup and the FIM JuniorGP Moto3, as well as debuting in the world champion, at Valencia and Assen respectively.

Farioli scored a win at Misano in the JuniorGP, rounding out the season in third place overall. He will compete in the Moto3 world championship in 2023 with team Tech3. Lunetta, on the other hand, achieved a first Rookies Cup win (also at Valencia) and will go all out for the title in next year’s FIM JuniorGP.

That Italy is a dominant force in motorcycling is nothing new, but as well as topping the reigning class right now, it appears that the bel paese has everything it needs to carry on winning in the future, considering the level of talent that is coming up through the ranks and scoring excellent results in the entry-level classes. Looking ahead, we can sleep soundly on this front.