Championship quintet attempt to cook up an Italian treat

Championship stars attempt to make the perfect Italian pizza

Thursday, 3 June 2010

Moto2 stars Toni Elías, Simone Corsi, Scott Redding and Andrea Iannone and 125cc hotshot Bradley Smith all tried their hands at traditional pizza making as part of the official pre-event for the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM, with mixed results!

There was a bout of traditional pizza spinning on Thursday as World Championship riders Toni Elías, Simone Corsi, Scott Redding, Andrea Iannone and Bradley Smith all learned about the methods of how to prepare the famous Italian dish at the Ristorante II Rustico in Scarperia, just a stone’s throw from the Mugello circuit where they will race this weekend.

Moto2 Championship leader Elías, who carries an 18-point advantage at the top of the standings into the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM weekend, admitted: “I thought it would be easier! It’s been difficult but good fun, and I tried my pizza after but I don’t think I’m such a good cook.”

The Spanish rider is refusing to be preoccupied by his current position in the rankings, instead opting to take each day of the weekend as it comes in preparation for Sunday’s race. He added: “I’ll take it step by step in practice and keep doing a good job with my team, and the target is to be ready for Sunday. We’ll try to be in a position to win, but if we can’t second or third is good – the most important thing is points.”

Fellow Moto2 competitor Redding had limited success with his pizza as well. The Marc VDS Racing Team rider stated: “The only thing I make is rice and pasta, so trying to make a pizza is very difficult! My job is with two wheels and not dough, so I think I’ll keep it that way!”

His aim is to build on his promising 11th placed finish from Le Mans, and the 17 year-old declared: “I just want to try and get a top-ten finish. Last time we were up and around the top ten and we were doing well. Every race we’re trying to progress a little bit more.”

Returning to a track at which he won last year, 125cc title hopeful Bradley Smith’s cooking skills did not come as easy as his riding ones. “The problem is that the chefs make it look far too easy! It was pretty tough but good fun, and I can see why these guys are so passionate about what they do,” he said.

Seeking a first podium of the 2010 campaign this weekend, Smith stated: “Mugello has good memories for me. I won the race here last year and I’m pretty confident for this weekend.”