    |
 -  -  |
|||||
| ||||||
|
My DREam - Kenny Rinaldoni - 4/4
I was sitting comfortably, I had a great view and the bike was incredibly nimble as began to slalom between the pins. It was all really fun! The motorcycle that I had always thought was a moto-elephant became a dragonfly. Finally it was time to go to the track. We each had a motorcycle and you can be sure I ran to the first available Monster! The first time around helped us get to know the track and then we were able to put into practice all of the lessons and tips we had received during the morning sessions. Luigi Pozza led our group on a Ducati 999 – he set the path and we all followed behind. Listening to his suggestions, I learned why I frequently approach curves badly and why this becomes a sort of mental block. From that day on my riding has improved significantly, especially in curves, and I have overcome that mental block. Now my riding is much more fluid, my eyes follow the inside of the curve and my body follows automatically without the fears I once had. After DRE I think differently about riding. For the first time I am able to understand what will happen when I start I automatically look for ways out of any dangerous situations. I now know what it means to think like a motorcyclist and I don’t feel any need to show off in front of the other guys. Perhaps I won’t have the fastest lap but I do know what it means to enjoy motorcycling. Each time I crossed the straight I would twist my wrist to hear that amazing engine, the voice of the bike and her apparent desire to race, to be strong and to be alive. Just like me. When I got home, even my Monster 400 knew that something had changed. I put all of my new skills to practice and I feel like a renewed and improved rider! One more thing: the day I did DRE, Marco Lucchinelli wasn’t able to teach his usual Master Class because of an accident but he did stop by the paddock at the end of the day. We ran into each other and I smiled at him and he smiled back and said “ciao.” It was already a perfect day, made even more perfect the fact that I received a personal hello from a motorcycling world champion! Under my jacket I am wearing the DRE T-shirt I found in my welcome kit and the DRE sticker is now on my gas tank to remind me always to follow the lessons I learned that day. The great thing about DRE is that anyone can do it – this amazing adventure is open to everyone and there are classes for all levels, from beginner to master. Everyone that loves motorcycling should try a day at DRE. DRE makes the passion inside of you grow – no matter who you are, Ducatista or not… That said, I must ask the non- Ducatisti that participated in DRE… tell me honestly, didn’t your heart beat just a little bit harder with that great twin cylinder below you? I would like to thank all of the people that helped make my DREam come true: Valentina Tolomelli, my “manager:” thanks for believing in me! You are wonderful! Annalisa Dimonte and Claudio De Angeli: thanks for having the courage to send me to DRE. You guys are spoiling me! Y2K Team: thanks for the emotional overload and for making all of this possible. Ombretta Piatesi: thanks for taking care me at DRE. Livio Lodi: thanks for just being yourself, a living look at Ducati history – the museum would be incomplete without you. Luigi Pozza, my first real riding teacher: thanks for being the only person that has given me good riding recommendations so far. Susannah Tillson: thanks for inviting me to participate in the Ducati Yearbook 2005 and for appreciating my work! The Ducati photographer that seemed to follow me around: thanks for making me feel so pretty! Just kidding …I’ve never had so many professional pictures! And finally, last but not least a THANK YOU TO DUCATI because you appreciate real motorcycling passions. Federica Rinaldoni Read the third part 
|
