Call from Corti hands Polita Moto Ain EWC chance

Alex Polita has explained how a phone call from Claudio Corti has earned him an FIM Endurance World Championship return in next week’s 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans – instead of his fellow Italian. Corti had been due to partner Corentin Perolari and Roberto Tamburini in Team Moto Ain’s Formula EWC line-up. However, he has instead decided to stand down, paving the way for Polita to ride the #96 Yamaha in the EWC season opener from 13-16 April.

Ad “I am very happy to come and race at Le Mans, even if the decision was taken at the last minute,” said 38-year-old Polita. “I received a call from my friend Claudio [Corti] and I would like to thank him for it. The 24 Heures Motos is a legendary race.

Every rider should experience it at least once in their career. As a real racing enthusiast, I had the chance to race in many categories like Superstock, Superbike in Italy, IDM in Germany and other iconic races like the Tourist Trophy and Macau. Of course, my experience in Endurance is limited, but the only time I raced, we finished second in the Bol d'Or in 2017.

So I have fond memories of this type of 24-hour race.” FIM EWCLive EWC coverage in Japan continues on J SPORTS30 MINUTES AGO Polita, a test rider for tyre firm Pirelli, continued: “Moto Ain is a team of high-level outsiders, and I like this kind of position as an outsider. Except for the [Pirelli] tyres, almost everything will be new to me, so I'm looking forward to joining Roberto and Corentin and riding the Yamaha R1 EWC of Moto Ain on this modern MotoGP circuit.” Corti said: “A 24-hour race is very exciting. But it's also very demanding on body and soul.