Yes, today it’s 36! Born on April 4th 1973, Loris Capirossi is definitely the World Championship veteran. But as soon as he puts the helmet on, you can bet he’ll demonstrate the enthusiasm and shape of a kid!

Among his records, I think the sum of these two really shows this rider’s greatness: youngest World Champion ever (in 1990, at his debut) and rider with the longest time between the first and last GP won in his career (for a total of 29 victories and 99 podiums in 282 GP).

Loris has been World Champion three times, and they could have been at least a couple more. So yes, he’s definitely a great champion with an amazing career. But there’s much more underneath: he’s often met both triumph and defeats, learning to “treat these two impostors just the same” (a little quote from Rudyard Kipling), thus here’s the main reason I’m his fan for: I think Loris is a great person.

His bravery and obstinacy have always been inspirational for me. And the informality he proved when we met is as noteworthy: it was June 2000 and I had built my first web site as a tribute to him, with plenty of information and updates about his career. A friend of his, responsible for the Capirex Fan Club, noticed the site and invited me to join them at the Mugello circuit for the Italian GP. Well, the first thing Loris said was “congratulations for the amazing job you’ve done for me”! A couple of hours later, he won one of the most spectacular Italian GP ever, after an amazing battle with Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi.

Next week Loris will start his 20th championship, in the shining environment of the Qatar night-time GP.

The latest motorbike Suzuki has developed, following Capirossi’s requirements, has shown massive improvements. Hope he’s gonna play a main role, dragging his #65 motorbike to the first positions once again. Go Loris, go!!

It’s not a joke. The #65 Desmosedici scale model has resulted the most desired toy in Europe, followed by a Lego football set and the timeless Barbie’s house.

Meanwhile, the real Loris has taught a driving lesson during the latest Motegi GP, winning a race completely run under last year track record. Go Capirex!!

Series of good news in the last weeks: Loris wins out an amazing race in Brno, becoming the rider with the longest time between the first and last GP won in his career.

Then he renews the contract with Ducati, confirming himself as the red-bike leader for the upcoming season.

Hope he’ll finally have a performing bike on every circuit. And please, don’t make his teammate trying to kill him again while he’s leading the championship in the middle of the season…

Having him World Champion with an italian bike would be amazing!