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Much preparatory work was carried out during the winter to arrange an entry for top rider,
Franco Battaini, but the efforts failed to come to fruition after he signed up to contest the World Superbike Championship with Team Kawasaki Bertocchi. As the final entries were made, the Italian contingent consisted of the popular Stefano Bonetti and two good newcomers, Angelo Conti and Roberto Antonellini; although not young in that they were in their early forties the rookies had sound careers as professional racers. Conti was a former multi Italian champion and European Supersport Championship competitor, with Antonellini, a two times Italian champion and a runner-up in the European 250cc Championship Unfortunately, Conti crashed during a Supersport race, which he was dominating, at
Misano hurting his back sufficiently to out put him out of the TT. Shortly aftrewards, at the
NW200, Bonetti slid off at the Roundabout in the Superstock Race whilst occupying an excellent 8th position. The outcome was a broken right thumb, an operation in a Belfast hospital and two weeks spectating rather than racing at the TT. Antonellini, therefore, became the only rider to represent the Italian flag in the Island Roberto had experienced many suspension set-up problems with his brand new Yamaha R prior to the TT, but, gradually, machine preparations and developing circuit knowledge put him close to the qualification time, when the gear box broke beyond repair, forcing a withdrawal from the event.

Conti and Bonetti are now fully fit and looking forward to the Centenary TT, in fact Angelo
visited the Island during August to acquaint himself with the Course. Of course, Italy was well represented at the TT Festival in form of Giacomo Agostini and World Superbike contender, Roberto Rolfo, who rode a Ducati 748 in the Classic Parade. I am sure we will see Ago return for next year’s celebrations, but what about Roby? What are the chances of his return next year – to race?

Pier Ortalda