Giancarlo Falappa

The world of motorcycling has always had heroes, riders who are remembered for their exploits or achievements. Giancarlo Falappa is part of this category because of his tenacity in the conduct of races that has helped him to be one of the most combative riders in the World Championship Superbike.

The "Lion of Jesi" took his first steps in sports on two wheels by racing in motocross.

His valor and skill on the track earned him the title in the category of the Italian championship, riding a handcrafted Villa motorcycle. In the Coppa Intermarche international competition, in Lovolo, the Lion of Jesi was part of the Villa team, along with Orlando and Vicarelli.

Falappa began to be known as a rider for his talents and was able to thus find a motorcycle with which to do his first circuit tests, signing in 1988 a two-year contract with a dealer who had entrusted him with a Suzuki GSX-R 1100 to race in the Italian Championship Sport Production.

In 1990 the Lion joined the official Ducati team.

The way he obtained the engagement is also unbelievable. Marco Lucchinelli, then team manager for the Borgo Panigale company, was heading by car to the Misano Adriatico circuit at high speed, when he saw his right door opened by a motorcyclist who flanked him, waving at him. It was Giancarlo Falappa. The madness and sympathy of the gesture procured the engagement of Ducati, which rightly placed in him much confidence.

In his debut on the official 851, he won pole position and victory. In four years of Superbike racing he won 16 times, recorded eight pole positions and captured 36 podiums.

His career was spent with a generosity and aggressiveness that made him loved by the public, which still surrounds him with affection and attention.