CIV MUGELLO: TWICE THE RACES, TWICE THE EXCITEMENT FOR THE ITALIAN RIDERS Scarperia After almost two months break, the 2012 Italian CIV championship returns to the track for its mid-season rounds. The racing is not to be missed and will take place this weekend at the Tuscan circuit of Mugello, a doubleheader (with round 4 taking place on Saturday, round 5 on Sunday) that is all important for both those aiming to extend their championship lead and those striving to make up lost ground. CHAMPIONSHIP: THE SITUATION AFTER THREE ROUNDS In the 125 Gp Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Aprilia O.R. by 2B Corse Zack M) is set to increase to lead. Thanks to a win and a second place finish, he has a 15-point advantage over Riccardo Moretti (Mahindra Racing), who has in turned scored two race wins and an unfortunate DNF at Monza. Cristiano Carpi and Andrea Mantovani (Aprilia) will also be trying to move up in the standings, both having already reached the podium but still in search of race wins. Matteo Ferrari (Honda) will be a favourite in the Moto3 category, thanks to his consistency that has seen him step up to the podium in all three rounds held so far. Kevin Calia (Honda Elle 2 Ciatti), encouraged by his Monza win, will also be in the mix, as will youngster Andrea Locatelli – ready to fight on board the Honda – and Stefano Valtulini and Agostino Santoro, who have both improved in recent races. Riccardo Russo dominates over in the Stock 600, leading thanks to two wins and a second place finish. The Yamaha Team Italia FMI rider will be looking to increase his lead but must watch out for Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha Bike Service) who is in top shape having won at Monza. Expect great things from Mattia Cassani and also Luca Vitali, fourth in the standings but less of a protagonist in the last two rounds. The Stock 1000 promises to be a head to head between Ivan Goi and Simone Saltarelli. Goi leads Saltarelli by four points, thanks to a win and two third place finishes. The two Ducati Team Barni riders will be the focus of attention and this could help Alessio Corradi and Alessio Velini, both ten points behind Goi.”> The Supersport category remains wide open, with seven riders all within 27 points of each other. Ilario Dionisi (Honda Scuderia Improve) leads, and will start as favourite having also won the opening round at Mugello. He is followed, in order, by Mirko Giansanti (Kawasaki Puccetti), Alex Gramigni, Vladimir Leonov and then Cruciani, Tamburini and Lombardi. Ferruccio Lamborghini (Ten Kate Quarantaquattro Racing), will be looking to manage his 24-point advantage over Robbin Harms (Bimota by Edo Racing) in the Moto2, thanks also to his great win at Monza where both of his immediate rivals, Harms and current champion Alessandro Andreozzi, crashed out. Over in Superbike, Italian champion and current leader Matteo Baiocco (Ducati Team Barni) will try to repeat his round 1 Mugello win and increase his lead over Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati Grandi Corse). Tuscan rider Nannelli will in turn be trying to win at his ‘home’ track. Also watch out for Luca Conforti (Monza race winner) and Lorenzo Mauri. WILD-CARDS: ROCCOLI, MAGNONI, SANDI AND POPOV fourteen wildcard entries are ready to prove themselves in the CIV doubleheader at Mugello. In Supersport, former Italian champion Massimo Roccoli makes a return to the tracks riding the Yamaha prepared by Team Yacknich Motosport. Together with him will be Raffaele De Rosa and Gabor Talmacsi. There’s another important name in the Stock 1000 – Michele Magnoni, fresh from a podium finish in the World Cup at Misano. Superbike sees the return of two great riders: the first is Federico Sandi, back on board the Ducati with Team Althea Racing, replacing an injured Lai. Letizia Marchetti (the only girl who will race in this category) also hopes to be a protagonist, in her return to Superbikes after a year’s absence. In Moto3, among others, Czech rider Miroslav Popov (Ellegi) makes a return, having been a frontrunner in the 125GP category in the last two seasons. LAPS OF HONOUR: FORMER CHAMPIONS ON TRACK The first ‘lap of honour’ event, held last year at Vallelunga, was a great success, made up of great names, and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the riders and the crowds. For this reason, the event will be repeated in 2012 at the Mugello track. On Sunday, in the break between the morning and afternoon racing, many famous faces, from Reggiani to Cadalora, from Mamola and Romboni to Lucchi, Pirovano and many other former top riders, will all take to the track “endurance-style”, to make some emotional laps (not a race!) and conjure up some nostalgia. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE PADDOCK: EVENTS There is a full programme of events planned at the Pirelli CIVillage and across the paddock. On Friday, from 7.30pm, watch an unforgettable kart race, reserved for companies involved with the 2012 CIV championship. On Saturday the Dellorto pole position prize-giving will take place at 12.45pm, straight after qualifying. Together with the fastest riders, Ezio Gianola will be welcomed on stage, ready to make his entrance into the CIV Hall of Fame. On Sunday, at about 1pm, the PitWalk will give the public the opportunity to get close to the action and see what goes on in the garages. The PhysioMedCenter will also be present in the paddock, offering unique physiotherapy services. LIVE TV, INTERNET AND SOCIAL NETWORKS On Sunday live TV coverage will began at 11.30am on Nuvolari (ch. 144 Sky and Digital Terrestrial) with the Stock 600 and Stock 1000 races while on Sportitalia 2 (ch. 226 Sky and Digital Terrestrial) the Superbike, 125 Gp/Moto3 and Supersport/Moto2 races will kick off from 1.50pm. The Mugello round will also have good coverage abroad thanks to Motors TV (with coverage of the event across Europe) and TenSports, an Indian television channel that will broadcast the 125/Moto3 category. Moto TV (ch. 237 Sky) will repeat the races next week. The racing is also broadcast on the Internet, in live streaming on the CIV website in collaboration with Sportube.tv. Videos will be available on YouTube at www. youtube.com/civmoto while you can also follow CIV on FB (www.facebook.com/civ.tv) and on Twitter (@Civ.tv). RACES, TIMINGS AND TICKETS Free practice sessions get underway on Friday from 10.00am while the first qualifying takes place on Saturday between 9am and 12.35pm. After an hour’s break, round 4 racing will commence, with races taking place between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. The fifth round will get underway on Sunday, starting with the Stock 600 at 11.45am, followed by the other races. On Thursday and Friday there is free access to the paddock. On Saturday you can watch the round 4 racing with a combined field-paddock ticket costing 10 euro (5 euro for under 18s, women and FMI card-holders, free entry for under 14s and residents of Scarperia) while on Sunday a combined field-paddock ticket will cost 20 euro (reduced rate 15 euro). By paying an additional 5 euro you can enjoy the racing from the grandstand, complete with giant screen.