PRESS RELEASES 2002

English texts by Laura Pitturru

22.06.2002
And is poker and record. Matteo Graziani over KTM 300 of the Team KTM Rally Team Italia has won the 16th Raid of Sardinia, finished this afternoon over the coast of the Poetto of Quartu and he is now Absolute Italian Champion class 2002. Is the fourth time that Graziani won the race starting a new record and confirm himself the most strong man of the Raid. The pilot of Forlì, very fast in the prologue, has controlled the run in the four stages without never failed. Above all Alex Zanotti over Honda 450 of the Team HM- Assomotor of Bologna, second absolute and considered by experts the heir of Graziani. So, Zanotti has conquered the title of Italian Champion of the class 450.
“It was a very good race- said happy Graziani at the finish line in the Poetto- it was a very wonderful way and a very adequate organization that has merit the insertion in the World Championship of 2003. And I will hope the next year to return in Sardinia, also for holidays, of course.
Third absolute Mauro Benedetti of Biella over Honda 250 of the Team HM- Assomotor. Benedetti has won the title of Italian Champion of the class 250 competition.
Very satisfy of the success of the event, the patron Gian Domenico Nieddu, president of the Moto Club Sardinia, organizer of the Raid. “Now we have a organization that can work hard for the realization of the World Championship of the 2003; we have to thanks all institutionals sponsors and all pilots, the assistants, and all raid-tourists that permit the realization of this event.
121 the pilots, 1000 the km run in fourth stages,28 the Commons crossed, 400 the persons of the caravan, 2500 the tourists.
Another curiosity, Matteo Graziani, 34 years old, farmer ( has a very nice farming). More times Italian Champion Motorally and of Raid Marathon. He has run in various African rallies. 

21.06.2002
Matteo Graziani is the absolute dominator of the Raid of Sardinia and probably he will win it for the fourth time.
It could be an authentic poker for the pilot of Forlì, because he has already won for three times.
Today he has conquered the second time in the third stage ( Quartu-Quartu of km 180) while Enzo Manenti, winner over Yamaha 250, guide the classification with a benefit of 3’06’’respect to Alex Zanotti , today third of stage. Eleventh in the edition of the Raid of Sardinia of the past year and fifth at the Raid of Umbria 2002, he has collected different success in unlike rallies; while Antonio Colombo of the Usqvarna Cf Racing has conquered a fifth time with a separation of 3’50’’ from Graziani.
So, is difficult said if in the short stage of tomorrow ( Quartu-Poetto of Quartu of 135 km with two selective sector of 39 km), Zanotti e Colombo can make worry the leader of the race.
Dominator of the stage in the territories of Sarrabus- Gerrei and of the Parteolla has been Enzo Manenti of the Team Rigo Moto. Manenti winning both the stages of today and separating Graziani of 37’’in the first and 29 in the second.

20.06.2002
Matteo Graziani guide the classification
After the second leg, Matteo Graziani over KTM 300 guide again the general unofficial classification of the Raid of Sardinia ( Quartu- Nebida) of km 280, won by Giovanni Martellozzo over Yamaha 400 of the Team Gaerne TV that with this victory of leg, conquest a quite good sixth time in
the general classification. So, now Graziani precede Roberto Benasciutti
(Husqvarna 570) of 27’’ and Mauro Uslenghi over KTM 400 third at 50’’.
A very hard battle after two special trial of today in the Sulcis Iglesiente, through the tracks of the Geominerary Park and the mountains of Siliqua, in province of Cagliari.
In the two special trials have won two veterans of the off road motor-cycling. In the first, has dominated Denis Pregnolato over Honda 125 of the Team Assomotor (only 93° in the general classification for a minute of penalty) and by Giovanni Martellozzo over Yamaha 400 ( Team Moto Club Gaerne Tv), venetian Italian Championship in the 1999 class B2.
Benasciutti has got problems in the second special, when he was at 8’ and 32’’from Martellozzo losting only 27’’ from Graziani, arrived himself in 7 and 47’’. So the best pilots were in the second special in strong delay.
At the third time in the general classification Mauro Uslenghi over KTM 400 of the Team KTM Rally Team Italia. It was very good also the time of Alex Zanotti of the Team Assomotor ( fourth at 1’ and 56’’).
First pilot of the Sardinians also Alessandro Fadda over KTM of the Team Double Racing. While the unique female in the Raid, Paola Pellizzeni over Honda 250 today was 42. 

19.06.2002
Roberto Benasciutti new leader of the Raid
Roberto Benasciutti over Husquarna 570 of the Team Husquarna Cf Racing) has won the first leg (Quartu- Quartu of 210 km) of the Raid of Sardinia, this year all in province of Cagliari, and guide the provisional classification, for which it hasn’t validity the prologue of yesterday. With the victory of the leg the strong pilot of Varese, has dethrone Matteo Graziani ( winner of the prologue and of three edition of the race), surpassed also by Mauro Uslenghi over KTM C 400 OF THE Team KTM 
Rally Team Italia leaved of only 6’’.
Graziani was penalized of a minute during an hourly check , that he can’t recover win the second special in the territory of Siliqua.
Tomorrow we will run the second leg ( Quartu- Nebida ( Iglesias) of 280 km, with 54 km of selective sector.

18.06.2002
Prognostic respected at the 16th Raid of Sardinia, started today in Quartu Sant’Elena in province of Cagliari.
Matteo Graziani over KTM 300 ( Team KTM Collina Axiver) has won the prologue and guide the classification.
The strong pilot of Forlì, has won three times in the race of Sardinia. His time today was of 1’ 11’’ 03’’ surpassing all antagonists more strong, as Alessandro Tranelli with Honda 250 ( Team T:R:S) that maintains the best time for further an hour.
In spite of the painful right hand, Graziani has decided to go to the prologue of Flumini di Quartu, exciting the public under the hot sun.
“ I’m very happy to leave for first tomorrow, for the first leg- said Graziani- and I know that win the prologue is a good thing”. Graziani has won this year the first trial of the Italian Championship and the Euro Trophy in Umbria.
At the third time Fabio Fasola over KTM 1000 of the Team Fasola School, a veteran of the Raid of Sardinia, won in 1988.

PRESS RELEASE n.10 - 17.06.2002
"I'm not feel very good. I've got a fracture at the right hand. I cannot run at the Raid of Morocco, but I can't lost to run in Sardinia. So I'm here."
He isn't discouraged Matteo Graziani, Italian champion in office, waiting the start of the Raid of Sardinia, Tuesday 18 of june until Saturday 22 over mules and tracks of the province of Cagliari.
Matteo Graziani, winner of three edition is in the first place of the provisional classification of the championship and of the Euro Trophy.
The start and the arrival of all legs is in Quartu Sant'Elena, where is situated the headquarter of the caravan ( 400 persons), at the Hotel Setar Quattro Torri.
For what concerne a curiosity of the Raid of this year, the age more representative is between 30 and 40 years old. The passion for the big motos off road doesn't know age.
The more young is the student of Bologna Federico Spisani with a KTM 125 ( Team Collina Motori). He has 17 years old. The pilot less younger is the entrepreneur Egidio Andreani with Honda 400. He has 60 years old.

PRESS RELEASE n.9 - 15.06.2002
First appointment tuesday 18 at 18.00 pm in Flumini di Quartu where it will be the prologue that decide the order of start of the first leg of wednesday 19 of june 2002 ( Quartu- Quartu of 20 km 210 with 52 km of selective sector).
In Flumini has been arranged a cross ground where the 120 pilots will be presented to the public ( the entry is free) before to confront the prologue that by tradition make start the Raid, second and last trial for the assignation of the time of champion of Italy and second trial of Euro- Trophy, a European champion of the off-road speciality introduced this year by the International Federation that has inserted the Raid of Sardinia in the world championship 2003.
The headquarter of the Raid is the hotel Quattro Torri ( Setar Hotel) in the coast of Quartu, where each morning at 8.30 a.m. will start the legs that will be conclude in the early afternoon in front of the hotel. The first leg will take the pilots in the Sulcis Iglesiente, where it will be possible see the passage of the pilots in Terresoli ( Santadi) for the start of the first selective sector ( h.10.30- 13.00 ) to the spring waters of Su Tippu ( Nuxis) special trial from 11.00 to 13.00, Frazione Crabì ( Nuxis) final first selective sector from 11.00 to 13.30 and in Rosas ( Narcao) where is established the point of assistance from 11.20 to 13.30.
At the end in Campanissa ( Siliqua) will be the start of the second selective sector ( from 11.50 to 14.00) the arrival of the first leg of wednesday is decided to the Hotel Torri (Setar Hotel) from 13.30 to 16.30.

PRESS RELEASE n.8 - 13.06.2002
It will be 121 the pilots who run for the Raid of Sardinia in programm from 18 to 22 of june 2002 over mules and tracks of Sardinia, from the coast of Quartu Sant'Elena to the mountains of the geominerary park of the Sulcis Iglesiente in the west part and the mountains of Sette Fratelli and the Sarrabus in the east part of Golfo degli Angeli.
The race valid as Italian Championship and for the Euro Trophy has been presented in Cagliari by the President of the Province Sandro Balletto, with the members of sport and tourism Sandro Masciarelli and of practicability Renzo Zirone and by the Mayor of Quartu Davide Galantuomo. They have talked about the importance of the race for the touristic promotion.
" Is the first time that the Raid, inserted in the world championship 2003, take place all, in the territory of the province of Cagliari- said Sandro Balletto- a territory rich also of very interesting internal zones.
Also the mayor of Quartu and the member of tourism Gabriele Marini have talked about the promotional and touristic aspect of the race.
" Our territory- said Masciarelli and the President of the Comunità Montana of the Serpeddì, Mimmo Zedda.
Is rich of touristic itineraries, cultural and gastronomic of remarkable merit and interest.
Gian Domenico Nieddu, patron of the raid has talked about the sporting merit of the Raid : 121 pilots, 35 teams, 100 persons, mechanics and assistants, 100 partners, 150 persons of the organization, 1000 the kilometres of the way , 197 in selective sectors. 20.000 km covered to determine the way of the race, 15 journalistic newspaper and Italian and foreign televisions credited, 28 municipality crossed, 400 people in the big caravan who will move approximately 200 vehicles.
Impressive, the medical service with 10 jeeps, 5 ambulances, 2 doctors with motos and an helicopter.

PRESS RELEASE n.7 - 30.05.2002
NO TO THE FIRES: THE RAID AGAINST THE FIRES
"The first and the most important reccomendation for all participants to the Raid of Sardinia, in program from the next18 to 22 of june in the province of Cagliari, will regard the respect and the defense of the nature, avoid each behaviour that can cause fires and can degrade the environment". Write the president of the Moto Club Sardegna Gian Domenico Nieddu, in the greetings send to all participants at the event valid this year, not only for the italian championship but also for the Euro Trophy and inserted in the World Championship 2003. "The Raid - said - is realized in Sardinia for the beauty and inique of her view and landscapes. It is an heritage of all that we are busy to defend. 
To all participants (a caravan of beyond 350 persons) will be distribuite a leaflet very clear, sign by the Moto Club Sardegna, organizer of the event, in wich you can read "NO TO THE FIRES!", respect and defend the nature if you want to find the Sardinia always more green and more beauty. In this leaflet are indicated the number of emergency of the fire brigades and the green number of the Forest Ranger and the environmental surveillance of the Regione. 
The event is realized with the support of the President of the Regione Autonoma of the Sardinia and the help of the Ranger Forest of Sardinia. 

PRESS RELEASE n.6 - 21.05.2002
IN 2003 THE RAID OF SARDINIA IS A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
The next year the Raid of Sardinia will be the third trial of world championship of the rallies out road. The insert of the sardinian race between the trials valid for the world championship has been decided in Ginevra at the last conference of the FMI, which has accepted the proposal of the FMI.
The Raid of Sardinia, as was baptized in the world calendar will be from 16 to 21 of june of 2003, after the Raid of Tunisie, and after the Rally of Maroque in May.
After the race in Sardinia the world championship will carry on in Russian with the Master Rally, from San Pietroburgo to the coasts of the Mar Nero, so with the Rally of Egipt in september and the desert Challenger in october in the Emirats.
So, waiting for the world championship the Moto Club Sardinia is working a lot for the next edition 2002, from 18 to 22 of june, this year also as trial of Italian Championship, valid for the Euro Trophy 2002, too.
This year departure and arrival of the four legs in Quartu Sant'Elena. For what concerne the way , we can say that it will be a daisy of over 1000 kilometers that will take the pilots over the mountains of the Sarrabus- Gerrei in the east and along the paths of the Geominerary Park in the ovest.

PRESS RELEASE n.5 - 12.04.2002
The company of seaworthy of the Grimaldi Group become the official vector of the Raid of Sardinia 2002
It has been stipulated an agreement of partnership between the Moto Club Sardegna and Grandi Navi veloci www.gnv.it like official ship vector of the caravan of pilots, partners and the organization.
Grandi Navi Veloci is the most young company of the Grimaldi Group of Genova, the first private ship-Italian group. Born in 1992 use in the ways of Sardinia, new ships of a new conception with services on board of very good level as on the new ship Superba, just used and utilized in the way from Genova to Olbia. So, a very cruise to arrive in sardinia.
A very "young" company as Grandi navi Veloci - explain Fausto Parodi director marketing of Grandi Navi Veloci is at disposal of the Raid of Sardinia. Because the first stage of the Raid, the "Genova-Sardegna" is lived on the ships in a very good confort by the pilots.
Our company offers a discount of 20% from Genova to Porto Torres and Olbia to all teams, pilots and partners.
With this thing we desire support the organization of the raid of Sardinia.
A motorcycle appointment that permit to know Sardinia in the most evocative places. To have a vector like Grandi Navi Veloci, partner of our event is a second big recognition after the insertion for the 2003 among the stages of the mondial championship tout terrain- said Gian Domenico Nieddu , president of the Motoclub Sardinia, a teamwork with Grandi navi veloci that wiil have other things in the future for the caravan of the Raid.

PRESS RELEASE n.4 - 18.01.2002
Big news for the 16st edition of the raid of Sardinia 2002, trial of the Italian Championship Raid T.T.organizing from 18 to 22 of june 2002.The Raid is the most important race between the three trials valid for the Raid T.T. Euro Trophy,with the raid of Umbria and the raid Carpat Express in Romania between the seven trials of the BMW Trophy F650 GS Dakar. Two occasions more for the pilots waited in sardinia for the start of the summer season. Another new, the way of the Raid, ways in province of Cagliari, Oristano and Nuoro.
The choice of the way, also this year by Walter Pinna, a very important person who know very well Sardinia.
The caravan this year will stay in a hotel****in Quartu S.Elena, near the Poetto's beach and the Villasimius sea.
Another new concern the organization, that this year will be improved. We will have also a roll-up road-book.
As passed the last year, the organization is nowdays of the Motoclub Sardegna, helped by the Motoclub Millenium of Sinnai and by the shop Centauro of Quartu.
The settlement will be in a hotel ****with half board(breakfast and dinner).

PRESS RELEASE n.3 - 29.01.2002
THE RAID OF SARDINIA VALID ALSO FOR THE BMW TROPHY
In Sardinia will be present also the single-cylinders BMW F650 GS leading protagonists of many internationals racings,for instance the Paris-Dakar, to the 16th Raid of Sardinia, planned for the next june over digs and mule-tracks of the island of holidays between wood and sea: the "Sardegna" has been included among the seven trials in the BMW F650 GS Dakar Trophy. Seven trials all over Italy whom six corresponding to the Italian Motorally Fmi Championship and the seventh with the Raid of Sardinia, valid for the award of the Italian Title of the speciality Raid T.T. and of Enduro Trophy; the new-born European Championship, promoted this year by Antonio Assirelli, National responsible of the Italian Motorcycle Federation for raid and rallies.
An opportunity more spectacular and fascinating to compete with an extraordinary off-road BMW, that for two times has won the Dakar.
With this purpose, the BMW Motorrad has included in the Trophy the glamorous race that take place over an exciting route between mule-tracks and digs crossing the coasts of Sardinia.
Substantial and charming rewards for the placed at the single races and for the final winners,beginning from a flaming Mini Cooper for the pilot who win the trophy.
A recompense also for the team that can take part to a journey ( with moto), organized by BMW Moto Club Italia.
The web-site of the BMW F650 GS is www.moto.bmw.it .

PRESS RELEASE n.2 - 22.01.2002
MOTOTOURS FOLLOWING THE RAID OF SARDINIA
Mototours in Sardinia following the raid, with the program "Raid-Tourist", thought by the Moto Club Sardegna, organizer of the famous Raid of Sardinia wich starts this year from 18 to 22 of june 2002 and bautized Euro Trophy of Sardinia, because it will be also trial of Euro Trophy 2002.
For this type of trip, in the most spectaculars ways of the interior of the island, it is not necessary waiting the week of june, when beyond 120 pilots will fight themselves for the title of Italian Championship and European Championship of the speciality Tout Terrain.
Infact, the program Raid Tourist starts from 24 of february. First week from 24 of february to 2 of march, second week in Easter, from 28 of march to 3 of april and finally the week following the Raid of Sardinia from 17 to 23 of june.
The pedestrians on two wheels, three and four wheels off-road will have like guides Valter, Domenico and Corrado, the three responsibles of the ways of the Raid, the event that always have fascinated pilots, journalists and companions.
Between the various opportunity, we have to remember the possibility to discover the goodness of the sardinian cookery, tasted for example with the sheperds of the Gennargentu.

PRESS RELEASE n.1 - 07.01.2002
We've got a big number of news concerning the 16 edition of the Raid of Sardinia 2002, trial of the italian raid championship tout terrain present from 18 to 22 of june 2002.
The most important is the insertion of the event between the three trials valid as the european championship of the speciality Raid Tout Terrain Euro Trophy, both to the Raid of Umbria and to the Raid Carpat Express of Romania.
" Is a first step to obtain the cup of the world that is our finality- said Gian Domenico Nieddu, director of the Moto Club Sardegna and patrono of the event-Is also a first recognize to the big organizative operating force that also the past year has given us a big participation of pilots and a good presence of strangers, that certainly will be, this year more numerous, to conquer tuneds for the European.
Other novelty will be the ways that the guides are preparing in different part of the island, just now never crossed by the bid with the traditional connections between the most famous beachs and the fascinating mountain of the interior of the country.
Paths that interleave fast ways with bridle paths and pathways of mountain.
In few weeks we can have also the place of beginning and the ways of inscription.
The event is recommended by the President of the Regione Sarda and by the Assessorati Regionali of the sport and tourism and by the Italian Motorcycle Federation.