2007 saw Davide Guarneri join the winner’s circle in the MX2 world championship with his determined victory at Namur for the Grand Prix of Belgium. If it hadn’t have been for some bad luck with injuries since his breakthrough in 2005 that celebration undoubtedly would have happened sooner for this likeable Italian.

Guarneri came to prominence for the Ricci Racing team during ’05 as early as round five at Teutschenthal for the Grand Prix of Europe where he achieved a second moto win in wet and difficult conditions. The 20 year old then continued his GP apprenticeship with some tough outings and finally finished eleventh.

Facing a very competitive class for 2006 Guarneri slipped back to sixteenth in the final classification but was dogged by fitness problems that saw him drop away from the point scorers in the second half of the fifteen race series. Highlights included a fourth position at the British Grand Prix, a ninth overall in South Africa and a vibrant performance at his home event, unfortunately the last five rounds of the Championship were largely forgettable with a virus leaving him unable to compete.

Guarneri’s preparation for 2007 was interrupted by more misfortune when he broke his ankle whilst competing in Italy just before the world championship was due to begin. He missed three rounds but then reminded his critics of his ability by reaching the top five in only his second competitive appearance of the season in Germany.

Working to get back his race speed he scored decent points in all but three of the next sixteen motos, including an impressive and brave show around the dangerous curves of the Citadelle in Belgium for that first view from the top step of the rostrum. A groin injury meant that ’07 largely ended as it had begun for Guarneri but he had made the required impression to ensure that his name is not ignored going into 2008.