Marco Belli Wins Opening Round of the Newly Formed Italian Flat Track Championship

21 Jun 2012

Marco Belli ignited his season by winning the first round of the 2012 Italian Flat Track Championship.

Depending on the time of year and what side of the world he's on, Marco Belli is either a renowned Italian Flat Track specialist, or that guy that assaults the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in summer on a bike he built himself. Last year was Belli's third run up the peak and so far his Zaeta DT 530 has earned him one 2nd place finish and two 3rds. In a few weeks Belli will be back in Colorado Springs for the 2012 challenge and the 90th running of the legendary Pikes Peak event.

However, first things first, Belli has a flat track championship to win, and towards that goal he started in grand fashion, by winning the inaugural round of the newly formed Italian Flat Track Championship.

Belli says he loves the battle of flat track racing, including the elbowing in the turns and the fighting.

"For sure it's the best way to start!" remarked Belli about his season opening win. "It means a full collection of points and the lead in the championship, which is going to be really tough this year. So I'm really satisfied about the result. A win it's always a big push, mostly for the right mental attitude to face the season."

Belli knows a few things about championships and winning them. So far he's collected three English National Championships (2005, 2007, 2008), three Italian national titles (2001, 2002, 2010), and two European Mefo Cup (2008, 2010). Belli has also raced flat-track in the US. Belli enjoys racing in the United States a lot, for him it's like a triple-A ballplayer making it to the show.

Belli's Zaeta project continues to catch worldwide attention, being that in his hands the motorcycle is nearly unbeatable.

The open round of Italian Flat Track Championship was contested in the Ippodromo (a hippodrome or stadium used for horse racing) at San Giovanni Teatino, Chieti, in the south of Italy.

"The hippodrome is superfast," said Belli. "It is 1000 meters around and 20 meters wide. I tell you the truth when I say that there is nothing like entering the turns wide open, a bit scared and wondering what you're doing at speeds over a 150 kph (94mph). We all want to catch the best line - wow - that's really the essence of flat track! The elbowing contact and fights are all a normal part of the battle. Competition means earning respect from your rivals, so there are some good fights. I enjoy them."

The Zaeta that Belli uses for flat track racing and at Pikes Peak is basically the same machine, it's a 530cc four-stroke specially designed and built in Italy. The creation and continuing evolution of the Zaeta is Belli's project exclusively. He tests and races them and what he learns on the track or on the peak, he applies to his motorcycle's development.

"I'm looking forward to Pikes Peak (July 8th) but first I'm racing in Prague for the first round of the International FIM Flat Track Championship," adds Belli. "We'll have also two rounds in the USA by the beginning of September, in Auburn and Lodi. For us Europeans, racing in America means a lot, it's the growing of the sport. Italy will be present with a seven rider team, including myself, and we are really focused on these races. Let's see how it goes, but there will be a lot of fun for sure!"

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