European press is reporting that ex-EBR WSB racer Niccolò Canepa (now racing a Ducati for Althea Racing) is facing a criminal charge in court as a result of an incident at a track day at Mugello in September of 2013. The video below has emerged and appears to show Canepa slapping the front brake lever of a track day participant, apparently due to an argument. Davide Cappato goes down and breaks his collarbone in the crash shown.
Why is Niccolò Canepa labeled an EX-EBR rider and not a CURRENT DUCATI RIDER?
Good question. It’s something that others, including me, Bueldog, and TimC, also questioned. I’m not suggesting that this was an intentional smear against EBR, but it was unfair, nonetheless. Canepa was riding for Ducati when the incident occurred and is currently riding for Althea Ducati.
A-hole knows the risks and he does that? Normally I dont say this kind of thing but that was criminal since clearly he does know the risk in doing that.
Once my collarbone healed I’d be kicking that guys ass.
http://www.tuttomotoriweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Immagine-85.jpg
It’s pretty hard to imagine that he’s allowed to race after that. Even if the guy deserved it (which I doubt), there could have been a few bikes directly behind him.
It’s clear to me that Canepa was angry with the other rider. There is no excuse on earth to justify what he did however. Man handle the guy at the end of the day if you really feel that you have to.
If you are on a track full of track day guys. You have to assume, expect and forgive them for the stupid things that some of them are bound to do.
Major kudos go out to the guy who made the epic save.
If you want a laugh. Google Image the word “Canepa”.
Canepa should still be allowed to race only with each wrist handcuffed to the bars.
Straight up criminal.
Was this video just released, or just discovered? September 2013 is almost two years ago.
Possibly just not available for release until now since it was part of a criminal investigation?
Why the “ex-EBR racer”?? Has nothing to do with nothing. He could have been “mini-bike racer” Not a good time to sling more mud into Erik’s corner. Sigh.
Agreed. Several have pointed this out. WTF, MD?
Would you like a little cheese to go with that whine? WTF TimC.
Come on gents… this isn’t mudslinging. What do you think is being implied here? Are we such fools that we would automatically assume that his anger issues were caused by having to ride the EBR superbike for a short stint? Does this somehow tarnish the reputation of Erik Buell?
As a US-based website, I’m sure the “ex-EBR” reference is just a factoid that is intended to connect with US readers. I thought the connection was interesting, more so than had he been a minibike racer. While I agree that the reference would have been more appropriate as a side note than a title feature, I think it is silly to consider this a personal attack against Erik Buell.
but you’re not mad about: (now racing a Ducati for Althea Racing) information being included in the “NEWS” report?
No, because that’s who employs him. Someone reading that is likely to think ‘oh, yeah, the guy we saw racing a Ducati in WSB over the weekend.’ Obviously, Superbike Planet agreed with that logic as that’s how they reported it.
Are you serious? It’s simply a way for people who might have no idea who the guy is to relate a bit to the story. Did you think that Dirck was attempting to somehow connect EBR with the guy’s actions?
This is really (and I mean _really_) saying something, but this might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen anyone complain about on this site. Get a grip.
DaveA, yes, I am serious. And I am also right. There are many more people who follow Ducati than EBR. Anyone watching WSB would see him on a Ducati. And he’s got a lot more saddle time on Ducati. So if you want to provide context “for people who might have no idea who the guy is,” then identify him as the Althea Ducati WSB rider that they just saw on TV.
No, my comment was not ridiculous. It was insightful and intelligent, which is why it was quoted on another site. As was pointed out on that site, when this story broke on Superbike Planet, the first sentence read “Italian media reports that current Althea WSBK rider Niccolo Canepa will appear on charges of assault…” There was no mention of Erik Buell Racing.
Just for clarity, I referenced my comment as it was very much in line with what Bueldog wrote. Sorry for the confusion. I’d made that clear in an earlier draft, and then screwed up my own comment by editing while I was on the phone.
My original comment:
““Ex-EBR Racer”? Seriously?
Canepa was rode Ducatis in 2012, 2013 (when the incident was recorded), and 2014. He competed in just four rounds for EBR in 2015, then went to a Kawasaki team, and now rides a Ducati again.
Erik Buell cannot catch a break! Talk about kicking a man when he’s down. Canepa is not an “ex-EBR racer.” He’s a Ducati racer. He was at the time of the incident and he is now.”
I have never raced on the track but this tactic could have injured one or more riders and was no doubt with purpose. His career has little to brag about so just ban him from racing and fine his team.
Besides, after looking at the girl in the photo, I forgot what this article was about anyway..
Notice that rather plain umbrella girls are never used! I guess if one bores of the sport their eyes and minds can drift elsewhere? 🙂
It’s well known that FIAMM horns are some of the best in the business.
Guy with the shades is due a eyeglass prescription upgrade. Seems he’s patting the wrong Fiamm.
HA!
Italians, always talking with their hands…boopity bipity
I think the legal terminology for this infraction is a, “dick-move”
I’m almost sure of it, I’ll look it up to be sure. However I could be confusing it with , “no class, temper tantrum cry baby” but the line is grey between these two
First, he needs to be permanently banned from any racing….Then he needs to go to jail and be sued…..
This hot-head should be banned from every form of racing on the planet plus be charged with criminal assault.
It’s remarkable that this vision has not surfaced earlier
Hm. The idea was he was braking too much?
As usual the camera doesn’t show enough to pass judgement. If you study the film it looks like they might have been at odds in the previous corner. More footage is needed
Not enough to pass judgement for you. I have seen enough, and reading posts here most agree with me. Are you a paid shill for the apparent criminal Canepa? Do you attempt to put doubt in the potential jury pool? If so, pure fail.
Footage “needed” for exactly what end, what purpose? State right here and now the audience reading this: be as specific as you ossibly can be. What could possibly have happened to justify Canepa pulling the front brake lever of another motorcyclist? Or to justify a pass for his action? Or to minimize the charge or the sentence?
Remember now, be specific.
If you watch the video more than once, he didn’t the pull the brake lever. He slapped at it as he was moving away from the other rider. I’m not not so sure you could cause that reaction by slapping the brake lever, while moving away from the other rider. It looks like to me the rider that crashed grabbed too much brake lever to keep from being slapped on the arm or hand by Canepa.
No, that is exactly what will happen if you slap the brake lever on a bike with powerful brakes and sticky tires.
So, your crack dealer is a pretty good one apparently?
Note, TX Jeremy, that was aimed at Doc, not you of course.
TimC I’m just going by the video since I was not aware of the incident until I read about it here. And it’s the only time I’ve heard of Canepa doing anything like this. I watched the video full screen many times and it just doesn’t look as advertised to me. Like I said, I don’t know any details other than what I read here and by watching the video. And if I’m wrong, so be it. It’s not the first nor will it be the last.
Huh??
More footage is not needed.
Its obvious. His action caused the accident – PERIOD.
There wasn’t time for anything else to have been an intervening cause.
OP: Absolutely incorrect. There are no possible previous circumstances that could justify those actions for many reasons.
DaveA: in which universe do you live? Even if the poor guy killed Canepa’s mother, that would not be a justification. He wasn’t even (over)reacting to a action, he waited for him to be close, and had time to think and plan this criminal action.
He should loose his racing licence at the minimum. And Barbara Fumagalli should leave him too (apparently she is his GF).
Sorry I misread your post as follows: there ARE possible previous circumstances…
The comment about Barbara stands however… 🙂
Oh ya? Well I don’t not disagree with what you didn’t mean to say. So THERE!
I’m not a roadracer, nor lawyer, but it is safe to assume that it is at least possibile that such an action *could* result in death, parallelization, or severe disability.
I would certainly pursue the death penalty for premeditated attempt at loss of life, (murder) followed by attempted manslaughter, either way with potential life in prison. Let the sun of a bitch plea bargain for 20-30 years.
“Ex-EBR Racer”? Seriously?
Canepa was rode Ducatis in 2012, 2013 (when the incident was recorded), and 2014. He competed in just four rounds for EBR in 2015, then went to a Kawasaki team, and now rides a Ducati again.
Erik Buell cannot catch a break! Talk about kicking a man when he’s down. Canepa is not an “ex-EBR racer.” He’s a Ducati racer. He was at the time of the incident and he is now.
Its like the seven steps to Kevin bacon lol
LOL
Guy in blue shirt to Canepa: “Oops, I thought you were the FIAMM girl”.
Na, that’s not an unusual way for men from the Mediterranean region to greet one another. It’s there way of saying “hello”. They like to kiss each other on the cheek too, and not just one side but on both sides.
Sure, he’s an a$$hole. But he’s got mad skills. Not easy making someone crash like that. Give him credit … and then take away his racing license.
I was always a fan of Fiamm hooters.
I’m glad Canepa won the argument.
/sarc off
Hmm… Why does it take that long (2 years)? Is the video surfaced recently that exposes his criminal act?
Is the pretty girl holding an umbrella up for him cause (a) he is good looking (b) he or the old, ugly guy hugging him is rich or (c) she is getting paid a lot of money for holding up an umbrella and looking good?
Boy, the world certainly had its charms back in the primitive days before women got equal rights and became liberated. I never met a liberated, educated women that could hold up an umbrella like Ms. Fiamm can.
Barbara Fumagalli makes good money holding umbrellas, and it advances her modeling career.
News item : Google notes a large spike in searches for “Barbara Fumagalli” today …
That’s where I’m headed, thanks!
Well, she sure knows how to hold an umbrella. She’s welcome to hold my umbrella anytime she wants to, rain or shine. And if she pretends to like me while she is holding it…. uhh, the very thought of it just makes me want to blow up out of sheer anticipation.
There is no place in the entire world for people like that. Throw him out of a helicopter at 10000 feet in just his briefs.
Dunno, man….punishment fitting the crime and all that.
Absolutely no excuse. Sickening.
Thanks for not cropping the photo…
Just imagine that kind of an action on the road, in traffic. I feel the MC community is smart enough to recognize a criminal act when we see one.
“Just imagine that kind of an action on the road, in traffic.”
Go to YouTube and watch to your heart’s content. With more and more cars and bikes having cameras trained on all the action it’s all there now to view.
It’s almost scary to be a motorcyclist riding on today’s streets!
I’m curious about whether the victim that crashed and broke his collarbone made a complaint at the time. Probably some interesting details yet to hit the news.
Wow, that looks like something Aaron Yates would do.
Not even Aaron Yates would do this, and I’m no Yates fan.
If Canepa really did this, he should be banned from racing permanently. The guy behind them nearly ran Cappato over, and someone could very easily have been killed. Absolutely inexcusable.
What a creep!
Incredible. We’re about to learn something very important about FIM. I hope we’re not disappointed.
What an absolutely bone headed stunt to pull. Yes, criminal.
I’d start with “aggravated assault”, and go up from there. Definitely needs a piece of rebar stuck through his front spokes at about sixty mph. Then a couple of Nancy Kerrigans with the same piece of rebar after he gets out of the hospital. No more racing for that boy, ever.
Ditto! I like your style 🙂
He should be prosecuted accordingly. But his racing licenses should be revoked and he should be banned for life. This stuff needs to be treated very seriously and severely when it comes up.
There is no place in any sport for that kind of wanted disregard for another participants safety.
“wonton” not “wanted”
Mmmmmmm… Wontons! I like ’em fried!
Oh – Did you mean “wanton”? 😉
Geezus that’s ridiculous.
Why did this not surface before?
Lock em up, boys.
I hope Althea cans him.
i hope FIM will ban him for the rest of that life!
Wow. Unbelievable.
Wow. He should be charged and spend a little time in the slammer.
And a couple of exibit during pause at races .. with a big wheel (kid’s bike).