Marcellino is BACK !

46YO and about to go around again....Still time for me?

Marcellino Lucchi is set for a sensational return to 250cc World
Championship action at the age of 46. Aprilia's vastly-experienced test
rider will fly to Kuala Lumpur early next week to replace injured Manuel
Poggiali at the Marlboro Malaysian Grand Prix.

250cc World Champion Poggiali has been ruled out the Sepang race after
suffering a freak leg injury on the eve of this weekend's action in Qatar,
requiring 50 stitches to his legs and shoulder after falling through a glass
partition playing squash.

Lucchi is no stranger to the World Championship scene and in several
wildcard appearances for Aprilia he has claimed five podiums, including
victory at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix. In his long-standing role as test
and development rider Lucchi has played a key role behind-the-scenes in
helping the Noale manufacturer win five out of the last nine constructor
titles in the 250cc class.

"The 250 that I developed for many years is fairly similar to Manuel's
bike," commented Lucchi, who has also been involved in the recent
development of the factory's three-cylinder MotoGP machine.

"Now it has more performance so the important thing for me in Sepang will be
to find the right sensation for the handling and the character of the
engine. I will have to change my style because I have been testing the Cube
MotoGP bike for a while now."

Despite concerns about his age, Lucchi insists he is in good enough shape to
compete in the heat and humidity of Sepang thanks to a strict training
routine of 100km cycle training a day in Italy. "Physically I feel very
well," he said. "I train all the time and riding the Cube will help because
to ride that bike you need a lot of strength."

MS Aprilia management are hopeful that Poggiali will be fit enough to return
to action at Phillip Island in two weeks' time and Lucchi added: "I very
sorry for what happened to Manuel and I wish him a quick recovery. It is a
very unlucky situation for him, and I never expected to replace a rider in
these circumstances for an accident outside of the track."

As for ThePogg, without doubt the biggest upset of the year

CDIHL

 

Not bad for an "Old man with legs like hams"
(copyright V. Rossi circa 1998)

--
Clem
[Snoorer to the stars]

(snip)

 

What sort of record would Rossi have if he stuck around till his 40's ?

CDIHL

 

Ooohh... I'll keep an eye out for him.

Moike