TL;DR: In his second outing at the Polini Cup, Mathieu “Mamat54” claimed pole position with a 1’00″69 at the Latina circuit and swept both races of the weekend — despite a clogged carburettor and a numb wrist from lap 4 onwards.
🏁 The Polini Cup: a bumpy track south of Rome
Sixteen hours of driving, arriving at the Latina circuit south of Rome with a flat tyre — that set the tone for this second round of the Polini Cup. After three years away from this track, Mamat54, official Stage6 rider, had to rediscover every corner, every bump, every braking zone.
The Latina circuit is notorious for its uneven surface, which punishes both riders and machines. It takes time, patience… and solid tyres.
🔧 Friday: first feelings after 3 years away
The opening practice session confirmed what everyone feared: the track is bumpy and takes longer to learn than expected. The first laps are tricky, muscle memory needs a few runs to kick back in.
- ➜ No tyre issues throughout the day
- ➜ Confidence builds gradually, lap by lap
- ➜ Good feelings return despite the demanding surface
A constructive Friday that laid the groundwork for the rest of the weekend.
⚙️ Saturday: tutto bene and mechanical prep
Saturday morning’s session runs without a hitch. Pure enjoyment, refined lines, a rider finding his groove again. Tutto bene, as they say on site.
But behind the smiles, a meticulous team gets to work. Come evening, the pre-race ritual kicks off as always:
- ➜ Piston swap: reliability first
- ➜ Belt replacement: no nasty surprises mid-race
- ➜ Full machine check ahead of race day
This behind-the-scenes work is exactly what allows Mamat54 to focus 100% on riding come Sunday.
☀️ Sunday: Mathieu switches to DETER 54 mode
Blazing sunshine, great vibes, and a Mathieu radiating laser focus. The day starts with a scare during free practice, however: a carburettor clogged with rubber debris. A serious issue that could have derailed everything.
Enter Romain, standing in for Eric (Mathieu’s brother), who handles it calmly and efficiently. The carb is replaced, the machine is ready. Mamat54 can concentrate on what matters: riding.
Qualifying: pole position in 1’00″69
The on-track response is immediate. Mathieu fires in a lap of 1 minute 00 seconds and 69 hundredths to grab pole position outright — proof that despite three years away, the raw speed is still very much there.
Race 1 & Race 2: victory… with a numb hand
Both races are won, but not without suffering. From lap 4, a blocked carpal nerve causes his hand to go completely numb. Riding with a hand that won’t respond, keeping concentration, managing the pain… and still winning. Twice.
- ➜ Race 1: Victory
- ➜ Race 2: Victory
- ➜ Overall: perfect weekend
🤝 A weekend that goes beyond racing
Beyond the lap times and podiums, this weekend at Latina will be remembered for the atmosphere. Friends on track, a tight-knit team, shared emotions. The Polini Cup with Piaggio and Stage6 is also that: a community of enthusiasts living competition to the fullest.
What more can you say? Sometimes words just aren’t enough.
❓ FAQ
What is the Polini Cup?
The Polini Cup is a European scooter racing series for machines prepared to a strict technical regulation. It brings together passionate riders on permanent circuits, with categories suited to Piaggio-based machines tuned by brands such as Stage6.
Who is Mamat54, the Stage6 rider?
Mamat54 is an official Stage6 rider competing in the Polini Cup. A passionate mechanic and racer, he builds his own machine and relies on a family team for race weekends.
Why change the piston and belt before every race?
In scooter racing, engines run at extremely high revs. Replacing the piston and belt before each race weekend is a preventive measure that guarantees maximum reliability and performance, eliminating the risk of a mechanical failure mid-race.
What is a carpal nerve problem on a race scooter?
Carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal nerve compression can occur under intense wrist and hand effort. On a race scooter, vibrations and handlebar tension aggravate the condition, causing hand numbness that makes riding extremely challenging.
Where is the Latina circuit used for the Polini Cup?
The Latina circuit is located south of Rome, Italy. It is a permanent track known for its bumpy surface, which tests both riders and machines to their limits during scooter competitions like the Polini Cup.
💚 Check out Mamat54’s full build as official Stage6 rider and gear up like a true Polini Cup racer!
