Who are Alfonsi and Vizziello How do you tell them apart?
Lorenzo Alfonsi and Gianluca Vizziello are so similar in so many ways, it can be hard to remember which is which. Now that they have both landed rides in WSB, we will attempt to ensure you know who is who.
Lorenzo Alfonsi Champion - European Superstock Championship
Alfonsi got lucky in 04, when his team-mate in the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha squad, Vizziello, got injured, with two races to go. Alfonsi had won at Misano, Silverstone and Assen, and had been second to Vizziello at three of the other four races. He failed to capitalise at his home race at Imola, allowing Suzuki GSXR1000 rider Chiarello to take his only win of the season, while he trailed in, out of the points. But he finally took the lead, win and Championship at the last race at Magny Cours, having trailed in 3rd for long periods. He was the long haired one of the pair in 04, and was arguably Yamaha's most successful rider on the R1 last year ( although some would argue Vizziello was consistently quicker ). He started out in the DFX Treme squad in 2001 in European Superstock, and he has returned to race with them on the Superbike in WSB this year.
European Superstock 2001 - 12th 2002 - 6th 2003- 4th 2004 - 1st ( 4 wins )
Gianluca Vizziello Runner-Up European Superstock
24 year old Vizziello was the short haired one with a moustache in 2004. He took 4 wins on the Lorenzini by Leoni R1 in the opening half of the season, at Valencia, Monza, Oschersleben and Brands. He was extremely unlucky (some might say daft ) to get injured in a minimoto event with the European Superstock Championship almost in his grasp, with just two races to go. Luck had also deserted him at Assen, when the race was brought to a premature end due to a fatal accident, with Gianluca ready to pounce on his team-mate. He was consistently the quickest rider of the series, and showed some great bike control, regularly backing it into corners, like Druids at Brands, which he approached time after time with the R1 on full opposite lock. He continues in the Lorenzini by Leoni team, whereas Alfonsi has gone to DFX Treme.
European Superstock 2000 - 24th 2001 - 6th 2002 - 3rd ( 1 win ) 2003 - 6th 2004 - 2nd ( 4 wins )
Pete Morrison
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