Exclusive interview with Nicolò Bulega, Italian 125 PreGP champion

We are here with Nicolò Jarod Bulega, born in 1999, one of the most promising young people in the Italian motorcycle scene, son of an artist, his father Davide was the 250cc European champion as well as test driver of the Cagiva 500.

Nicolò, this year at your debut in the 125-PreGP class despite your very young age you ran a hard-fought championship, winning it at the last race at Mugello, tell us how the season went.

This was my first year in the 125cc class (the previous year I had raced and won the Italian and European Mini GP50), to better prepare myself I was able to do some days of very important tests, especially the three days in Cartagena (Spain) which allowed me to immediately become familiar with the new engine capacity.

 Both the team and I arrived at the first race in Vallelunga very prepared and in the first three races of the championship we were honestly very strong. Then in the fourth round I was forced to retire due to a very simple problem, while in Franciacorta both I and the bike weren't able to be as competitive as we would have liked. So I played for the championship in the last race at Mugello, it wasn't easy because there were many fast riders, there were 12 of us in one second. In the end, with 7th place and Tocca's disqualification, I won the championship.

Nicolò Bulega in action with his RMU 125 PreGP

 What was the best moment and what was the worst?

 The first race in Vallelunga was unforgettable. In Friday's practice I never rode because the bike kept seizing, it was the same on Saturday morning in the first official practice. Basically before the last shift of officers I was out, I risked going home. Then, on Saturday afternoon I managed to run without technical problems, with continuity and I obtained pole. Then on Sunday I won the race!! Winning on debut after troubled tests was a dream! As for the worst moment, I don't know; what I liked least was the fact of sometimes having to wait for the decision of the judges who on some occasions disqualified the pilots for irregularities; It would have been nicer to always fight on equal terms.

  You were born in October 1999, you are not old enough to compete in the CIV (Italian speed championship), what will you do?

 I honestly don't know.. I'm still very young. My dad decides these things.. ask him..

 David: I'm waiting to understand if in Italy there is consideration for a rider who at just 12 years old won 2 Italian titles and a European one... they're all capable of bringing sponsors or paying, but I want a team that takes on at least part of the responsibility of costs, a team that believes in this boy together with me. It's too easy to fill your mouth with my sacrifices. I must say that at the moment the Spanish teams have an edge in this sense..

 So Spain?

 It's not for sure! Nicolò is Italian and it seems appropriate to wait a little longer and there is still no clarity on which bikes will be able to participate...

 Let's go back to Nicolò... are you preparing for the 2013 season and how?

 Yes of course... twice a week I go to the swimming pool, I do a lot of cycling on a country route behind the house and I recently started doing "traverses" on dirt with a modified motocross bike... eh... I really enjoy it!!

 Who are the drivers you consider most competitive?

 There's more than one... they're the usual ones since I started racing minibikes... Gabellini, Manzi, Zaccone...

 What do you expect from 2013?

 To win...