Monday, 12 May: Mattia Fracasso will lead the Italian challenge for honours in Runabout GP1 at the Grand Prix of Italy at Idroscalo in Milan on 5-8 June and is determined to score a vital home win to put him right back in the mix for the 2014 World title.

The 34-year-old from Vicenza was impressive in the season-opener in Qatar and looked to be back to his best and produced the kind of form that took him to the 2011 UIM-APP World title and multiple Italian titles, but was thwarted and frustrated by bad luck and mechanical issues.

The Team Marina4 rider and the reigning European and Italian Champion was in the fight for top spot in both races in Doha, leading race 1 until lap 11 of 13 but suddenly lost power when his ignition key came out and was passed by Lemoine and Al Haidus,  eventually finishing in third. He led race 2 for the first three laps when his engine let go, ending his challenge. “A win in Milan is very realistic and is the target,” he said. “I have been training hard and the team has been working on upgrades on the bike and engine. We will be ready.”

Fracasso, who sits in sixth place in the points table, will take to the water in Milan sporting a specially commissioned ARAI helmet for the Grand Prix of Italy, and boosted by a win in the opening round of the Italian Championship in Fano last weekend.