2006 Genoa Supercross Race Report - Dirt Rider Magazine

Alessi, Mills, Grant

Many years have passed since the first time that supercross entered the inside of the Palasport of Genoa (Italy) and this year we've reached its 24th edition. Genoa was the first venue to host the very first supercross race in Europe. Since then three generations of the best American and European riders have battled inside the Palasport.This race has become legendary for supercross fans who always attend in large numbers. In fact, they event is always sold out. The event has remained so successful because of its ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the public. For example, the promoters created a double event: an SX race as well as freestyle contest.Also, the promoters have created a championship series - UES SX championship.The championship is open to riders from all over the world. The series is run only in Europe, and awards the title of Champion of Europe. The series' title sponsor is FIAT.Heat 1 was easily won by the 18 year old Mike Alessi. The KTM USA factory rider grabbed the holeshot and nobody got around him. Ryan Mills came in second and Josh Grant was third due to problems with suspension settings. Heat 2 turned out to be relatively easy win for the former MX2 world champion Antonio Cairoli, who seems to be getting more and more at ease with supercross. Antoine Meo took second place. At the start of the Main Event the enthusiastic roar of more than ten thousand fans completely drowned out the noise of the bikes. The gate dropped and the Yamaha number 222, ridden by local favourite Antonio Cairoli, jumped into the lead followed closely by Grant and Alessi.Cairoli tried to hold off the two American riders, but Josh Grant was having none of it. Josh Grant had gotten his Honda Mobile SoBe/Samsung bike's suspension dialled in, and with a beautiful move he overtook Cairoli and assumed the lead.As the leader, the 20 year old pilot from Southern California continued undisturbed. He set a fast pace and pulled a gap on the field, looking like a sure thing to win the event.With Grant pulling away, the battle was for second place between "Tony" Cairoli and Mike Alessi. The Sicialian on the Yamaha initially fended off Alessi's continuous attacks until the long whoop section (the hardest zone for the Italian). Cairoli gots the rhythm wrong and was overtaken by the KTM rider who was right behind him at the moment of his mistake.The positions by now seem set with Grant leading, Alessi second, and Cairoli third.The idea of ending the night on the lowest part of the podium didn't appear to totally satisfy Cairoli. He pushed to catch up to Mike Alessi. At first it looked like he might catch Alessi, but during the fifth lap, Cairoli hit a protection at the track's edge and folded his Yamaha's shift lever so badly the bike would be stuck in third for the rest of the race.Even after this set back, the Italian succeeded to cross the checkered flag in third position behind Mike Alessi and the winner of this 24th edition of Genoa supercross, Joshua Grant.Problems at the gate and contact with another rider relegated Ryan Mills to fourth place. Ryan has signed a contract that will have him on the Italian Paul Martin's team for the 2007 season. The 20 year old pilot from New York will participate in the FIM world championship in the MX2 class (125 cc class) and will ride a Honda CRF250R.

Bader Manneh

The presence of the American veteran Bader Manneh is worth a mention. Despite his 39 years of age, he has not lost the spirit and the tenacity to put himself and his KTM in the battle with boys young enough to easily be his sons. Unfortunately, Bader got fourth position in the Last Chance Qualifier and did not make it to the Main Event.Antonio Cairoli is the 2006 champion of the UES Championship thanks to his SX victory in Milan one week prior and his third place in Genoa.The winner in the Freestyle contest was Jim McNeil. The crowd went wild for the Honda rider. He won the best-trick contest at Genoa.Armando Dazzi, as he has done for many years, designed and built the supercross track inside the Palasport in Genoa. Armando also entertained the public with wheelies in his gigantic bulldozer. Joshua Grant: (paraphrased)
I am very happy with the results, although I had problems with my suspension at the beginning. I used a stock bike and mounted my works shock, but we were not able to mount my works forks because we did not have the steering stem bearing. So I had to use my shock with stock forks and it was not an excellent match. In fact it took the whole afternoon and part of the race program to set the suspension right. Right before the Main Event I was able to find a good setting that allowed me to compete at my best, and I think the results were obvious.Mike Alessi: (paraphrased)
It is always beautiful to race in Italy. Your fans are very welcoming, and to tell you the truth I came to Genoa with the intention of winning like I did last year. But unfortunately in the Main Event I didn't start too well and the battle with Cairoli made me lose a little time. By the time I passed him, Grant had a good lead and I wasn't able to catch him.Antonio Cairoli: (paraphrased)
I got a good start but soon after, Josh and Mike started pushing it really hard, especially in the whoops section, where I was making mistakes. Then during the fifth lap I hit the gear lever on a track's edge protection and the bike was stuck in third. Fortunately it was the ideal gear for this type of track and I managed to finish the race. I have run a few supercross races and I am trying to improve. I'm happy with my results in this UES SX championship and I must add that at the beginning of the year I would have not been expecting it, but I must also say that I am extremely happy with it.HEAT 1:
1 M. Alessi
2 Mills
3 Grant
4 Degli Esposti
5 Pellegrini
6 Valade
7 Gerevini
8 Lazaro
9 Marcone
HEAT 2:
1 Cairoli
2 Meo
3 Renet
4 Izoird
5 Cappellini
6 Maddii
7 Manneh
8 Turchet
MAIN EVENT:
1 Grant
2 M. Alessi
3 Cairoli
4 Mills
5 Degli Esposti
6 Renet
7 Pellegrini
8 Izoird
9 Meo