Italian driver Dario Marchetti challenges Saudi driver Bin Laden at Dubai Autodrome

Dubai: It takes a brave man to challenge the leader, especially someone who has been victorious in his last four races, but Dario Marchetti is doing just that to Saudi rider Abdulaziz Bin Laden at the Dubai Autodrome on Friday. The Italian, a multiple championship winner around the globe and the Chief Instructor for the Ducati Riding Experience has thrown down the gauntlet to the Honda rider.

The weekend’s race in the 1000cc class will pit Marchetti on his 1199 Panigale R against Bin Laden on his Honda Fireblade – a true battle of two of the world’s greatest superbikes with Marchetti aiming to demonstrate that Ducati’s flagship model is the best superbike on the market today.

The Italian though is aware of what he is up against. “It’s a pleasure to be racing here. I have a lot of repect for him. He has a sportsbike, while mine will be a modified streetbike. The challenge is exciting. I am a bit sick right now but hopefully will be fine by Friday. I will have a short practice on the track before the race,” the Italian told XPRESS from Frankfurt on way to Dubai.

Marchetti recently conducted two training sessions at Yas Marina Circuit and was pleased by the response. “A lot of people from various countries came for the classes. There were a couple of Emiratis too, but those from the region were mostly from Jordan and Qatar,” he said.

So does he see the scope for a MotoGP or a Superbike race here?

“Not at Yas. That’s specifically designed for cars and we had to put in a couple of extra chicanes for the training. The standards are very different, but maybe Dubai can have one at the Autodrome, but I need to see it first,” he said.

Marchetti has enjoyed a diverse racing career, ranging from 500 GP to Superbike races. His list of honours includes four national titles, the Italian Endurance Championship in 2001 on a Ducati 996R, the Battle of the Twins race at Daytona aboard a 748 in 2004 and the European Endurance Championship later that year riding a 998 and 999R.

And he remembers his favourite moment on the track pretty clearly. “It has to be the Battle of the Twins race at Daytona in 2004 when I rode a 748. Other memorable moments would include the races I won right after returning from injury,” he said.