Zanetti reflects on fine performance at Brno

A rookie in the 125 World Championship, 18-year old Lorenzo Zanetti was under the spotlight last weekend at Brno as he clinched a promising fifth position after fighting manfully with the leaders in the opening stages of the race. The Italian still lacks consistency, but he's quickly gaining experience. Even before the Czech Grand Prix, Zanetti had already demonstrated his potential by qualifying on the front row at Catalunya and also taking his first championship points in le Mans.

motogp.com caught up with the Italian youngster about his rookie season and his recent form.
"Being in the MotoGP World Championship is just great!" smiles Zanetti. "This was my dream, and now being here with all the best riders is just fantastic. The start of the season wasn't really good as I had an injury in Jerez and I had to miss the first three Grand Prix."

"At Brno the race was really good, I was able to stay with the fastest guys from the start and kept up with them for as long as my tyres allowed me to. I have just watched the tape of the Brno race and I realised that I made some mistakes, for example I was taking different lines compared to the other riders. That might be the reason why my tyres were worn prematurely."

"Anyway, that was the first race I had the chance to ride in the leading group, and it's not easy, but it helped me gain experience. The World Championship has many differences compared to the Italian Championship where I was riding back in 2004. In the GPs everybody is much faster, and they are quick right from the very start of the race."

"Also there's more pressure, this is not a game anymore, this is the World Championship and people expect you to be fast and get good results. From this point we now go to tracks I know, as I made my debut last year at Brno."

"During the summer break I spent 20 days in Riccione: sun and sea. But I also did some physical training as my personal trainer is there in Riccione. I'm still recovering from the injury I had in Jerez, things are a lot better but I still cannot say I'm 100%. During the races, by mid-distance, it starts to hurt a bit, nothing too bad, just a bit tiring."

"I hope to continue in Grand Prix next season, I hope I'll have the opportunity."