EMX Open champion De Bortoli: 'Afyon, Turkey is special to me'

AFYONKARAHISAR, Turkey

The 2021 Motocross European Championship (EMX Open), one of the world’s biggest motocross bike events, wrapped up on Tuesday at Afyon Motorsports Center in the mountainous Turkish city of Afyon.

Turkey was the biggest step in the racing series, as two legs of the championship were held in the western Turkish city of Afyon this week, on Sunday and Tuesday.

Davide De Bortoli of Italy, winner of the championship, spoke to Anadolu Agency and shared his thoughts about his first-ever title in Afyon.

"I’m really happy about this win. The Afyon track is good and a technical one. It’s very special for me and my team." said De Bortoli, speaking of the city’s race circuit, positioned over 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level.

The Italian rider said that this was his first visit to Turkey and that he liked it here.

"I liked Afyon, I liked the state, I liked the people and the food, it’s all beautiful," he said.

Kiara Fontanesi: 'Turkish people are amazing!'

On Tuesday, Afyon also played host to the Women's Motocross World Championship (WMX).

Turkey put together an amazing event, according to Italian rider Kiara Fontanesi, winner of the both races of the Afyon stage.

"Turkey is very nice. You guys organized a big event like this motofest,” she said.

"You don’t really see these in Europe."

She also sang the praises of the Afyon Motorsports Center track, saying: "The track is one of the best I’ve ever raced. It’s very fast and fun to race once a year. You guys do a very good job."

About her chances of securing the title, and the next stage in Spain on Oct. 16, Fontanesi said: "I’ve never raced on the Spanish track and my opponents haven’t been there either. It was also my very first time in Turkey as well and my opponents raced here before me.

"So it’s not such a big deal if you find confidence and everything goes well."

Fontanesi also expressed her sadness at having to leave Turkey so soon, saying: "It’s a pity that I can’t stay longer and enjoy like going to Istanbul and sightsee, because we must leave."