Marco Simoncelli our interview

This article on Marco Simoncelli was published in 2008, in issue 41 of Vanity Fair and we propose it again today to retrace the changes of which Vanity has been the protagonist in the last 20. Here are all the articles we are republishing.

At first glance, when he shows up for the photo shoot sensationally late, Marco Simoncelli recalls one of those dazed characters that Andrea Pazienza drew. The suspicion that he stopped at the Autogrill to devour a piadina is strong, but the smile is friendly and the gait is lanky as a teenager (at 1.83m he is among the tallest riders in the history of motorbikes). Then, with the joking offer, to all the staff of Vanity Fair, of having his famous hair touched (more Bob Marley than Lucio Battisti), reproaching him becomes impossible. On the track, however, Simoncelli is not dazed, not even a little. For those who follow the bike, after Valentino Rossi fresh winner of his eighth World Championship, he, Marco Simoncelli, is the champion to keep an eye on. Same light-hearted air as the “doctor”; same marked Romagna accent; same early vocation for the track, common for those born in the “promised land of two wheels”, where a dad buying you a minibike as a child is almost normal. And the same tendency towards unrestrained declarations to the microphones after the match. His career is almost symmetrical: while Vale, complete with a notary on the track, wore the “Sorry I’m late” t-shirt, he, with the same t-shirt, confirmed himself first in the 250 MotoGP. Despite some very colorful language, he told us how he got here.

In the world of motorbikes he is starting to be really famous. What has changed in his life?
«What has changed is that strange things happen to me now. Like: some time ago in Riccione, a guy, in front of the disco, looked at me and said: “Oh, but you’re the same as Simoncelli, but just the same!”, “Yes, they often tell me that”, I say. And he again: “Oh, but also the voice! Beast if you are the same … ”, and he leaves. These are satisfactions, eh?
He could have moved up to the “premier class” of MotoGP as early as next year. Why didn’t he do it?
«It would have been a nice leap, but I didn’t feel like doing it now. Honestly, I’ve had some tiring years and I wouldn’t want to throw myself into the fray straight away.”
Valentino Rossi is also in the mix…
«We live less than 10 kilometers away from Vale, we are friends, we go to the same gym, we race motocross. And he gives me a lot of useful advice. There would have been no problems…”.
But Rossi’s father told his son that if you were to become adversaries, your friendship would inevitably end.
«Given that Vale is unique and unrepeatable, if we were to become rivals on the track, it will mean that we will remain friends outside of the races and we will go out for a beer».
He declared that he has never smoked, not even a joint, the classic good guy?
“Kate didn’t think so at first.”
And who is Kate?
«My girlfriend: we’ve been together for a year and a half. Honestly, even as a single, I didn’t feel bad, but now I’m busy. Also because conquering it wasn’t easy at all. It took me a long time: two months of “pressure”, as we say.”
Why so long?
«The motorbike had no charm for her: she didn’t even know I raced. In fact I wouldn’t be much of her type, she liked hotter guys.”
Could it be the fault of this slightly eccentric hair?
“Perhaps. In reality my hair is like this by nature, what can I do? It is true, however, that they make me more recognizable and trigger nicknames like “Lucio Battisti” or “Jimi Hendrix”.
All seventies characters. However, with the clothes she wore for this shoot he seems quite at ease with her. Are you a fan of that era?
«No, it’s pure coincidence that I have this look. And I didn’t make promises to myself like “If I win I’ll shave myself” or similar superstitions.”
And the music he listens to is seventies?
“Neither. I like Vasco, and I listen to Jovanotti. Oh well, come on, after all Battisti too.”
However, do you like his best-known nickname, “Superpippo”,?
«Actually, not so much…”.
Who follows you in the races?
“My father. And then he the women…”.
Other women besides his girlfriend?
«My mother and my sister Martina. Before, only dad came, then, this year at the Estoril GP they were there too: pole position and podium! In reality, having everyone close to me reassures me. But now that school has started, we will have to organize ourselves differently.”
Excuse me, but how old is your sister?
“Six. We’ve already tried putting it on a minibike. But I don’t think it’s sport for her.”
Your mother may be relieved. Are you not afraid, as expected, when you run on the track?
«The first bad times. Then one day she told me that it would be a great shame not to see me run.”
Speaking of fear, Jorge Lorenzo said that fear made him think about quitting.
«Lorenzo had really taken a lot of beatings. No, I must say that, for me, fear is never there.”
Japan, Qatar, Malaysia… She travels all over the world for competitions. But do you like travelling?
“So so. I’m actually happy in my house. Anyway, I’ll bring the piadina.”
Do you bring piadina?
«The piadina on the camper must not be missing: it is a kind of lucky charm. It’s not difficult, just buy it at the supermarket, vacuum-packed. And have the filling on hand. It’s essential to win.”