Rider bio

"Nobody is able to understand why I like the races and motorsport. Nobody in my family likes racing. If I'm a rider it is for a strange reason: my grandfather had a scooter and its ignition keys were always above the saddle..."

"Finally my father bought me a minibike and, 2 year later, I did my fist championship on minibike. I made my first race with very good results," explains Omar, not a typical story.

"My father participates in all my races though. He accompanies me on Thursday and for this reason, he doesn't go to work; fortunately the bar where he works is his shop.

He doesn't understand about bike and technical setting. He is always alone in the paddock, waiting for me and my happiness."

And Omar has certainly had some happy times. "I had a great race in Latina, Italy in 2013. I was going to win the title in Metrakit MiniGP School. I was starting from pole position, at the first corner I was first. Nothing so special but the dynamic of the race was the same as the preceding 3 races. It was great to win in front of my mother who came to see me for the first time. In that race I won the title.

Unfortunately 2014 was not as good. "I had a tough time during the 2014 season. I finished twice second after the opening round where I crashed. I didn't race the last round: my team closed the activity and I could not continued because I had no budget."

"My best race ever was in the 2014 season though. It was the only race that my grandfather saw before dying. I have a good memory of that round of MiniGP 50cc Italian championship because I spent all the weekend with him. He helped me as my mechanic, only 2 weeks before Red Bull MotoGp Rookies Cup selection. I started from the 3rd line and I finished 2nd. His happiness when I was on the podium makes that race a very magic moment."

"I learnt something as well, unfortunately, in 2014 I was to chubby for 50cc class. I learned to diet!"

2015 was his first Rookie season and it started well: "The first round at Jerez de La Frontera and it was my debut with a 250 4-stroke. Before I had only used a 50cc bike. I had never ridden a big bike. The biggest bike that I had tried before, was the Metrakit 125 2T during Red Bull MotoGp Rookies Cup selection (just one time).

I arrived in Spain last April with the bated breath, I did not sleep for anxiety, I did not imagine how would be my "first time".

On the grid I thought to be in another dimension, as in the "Matrix" movie, where the protagonist is suspended from reality.

"I remember just the man who showed the 5 minutes to race board and after I don't know what happened during the race but I took 1 point. My first point in a international championship!"

"In 2015 I learned that there are many fast riders in the world...."

"I really like tracks with elevation changes, I love Mugello. I hope to race in the future, I never tried to ride there but there are quite a few elevation changes around the lap. From the Rookies Cup circuits I love Sachsenring, the downhill where there is the Clinica Mobile. Unbelievable."

"I also I love the team work, I love to share the victories and satisfaction with the people around me. The best thing of victory is to celebrate it with all the people who have contributed to reach that goal and who helped you to be happy. The best satisfaction is to see the people who are close to me in the circuit and to realise that they are very proud of me. This is not very frequent but when it happens, it's an amazing thing."

Omar's favourite subjects at school are Italian and history and when he is not racing he enjoys motocross and swimming, his racing hero is Valentino Rossi. "I like to sing Italian songs... and to eat.... but just sometimes..."

"In 2015 I was the youngest rider of the Red Bull Rookies Cup and this was satisfying. It was also an incentive to grow up fast because the level is high. During my life, I always had to deal with my weight because when I was baby, I was obese."

"Indeed, "fatty" is the nick name that I have always hated; I hope to have a new one like "slim" or "thin" in a short time. I have three beautiful sister who are my fans: they are what I love most in the world," added the Italian teenager. "Before 2015, my weight has always been penalising for me. Now, with 250 cc it's another thing."

"This year I want to run with the leading group in the race and to get into the lead eventually.... step by step."

Racing is obviously a huge part of his life, but it is not everything. "I want to say that my 3 sisters are the best gift of God."