Il nostro Capitano, Il Campione

NEWS Monday 30th September 2024, 6:40pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs captain Paco Castagna completed his remarkable Italian season over the weekend being crowned national champion for the fourth time.

Castagna doing this in a dominant fashion that has never been seen before not only winning all eight rounds but every heat within them also going 45 for 45 in that regard.

Known to all as an effervescent and happy go lucky sort this belies a steely determination that Castagna says was a driver for his performance this year, "I was trying to prove a point!

"We all know how much British speedway means to the fans and in Italy it is no different, Italian fans really care about Italian speedway and things had been said in the past and this year that I wasn't happy about.

"So, I did have a point to prove and I don't think I could have done it any better, 45 out of 45!

"I am very proud of what I have done it is very hard to do that to be perfect across different tracks and conditions so yeah, I'm very happy.

"People don't always see the work that goes into it all, I could be at Edinburgh on Friday in the workshop till maybe two am then a few hours sleep and up at four or five to fly to Italy and race that day."

The Castagna name is one that is synonymous with speedway in his home country although Paco admits there is still a way to go prior to catching up with dad Armando joking, "I think I still have to win another eight to catch up with him so I'll need to be around for a few more years for that, although to do it he way I did it no one ever has so I have that."

The weekend's celebrations are the next step on a continuing season and the big meeting comes next weekend as Paco makes his second appearance in the GP Challenge in as many years albeit this year sees a differing challenge as there likely won't be much fallback for anyone that doesn't come in the top four giving that the GP series for the year is finished meaning the top 6 in that particular competition is now known.

Castagna feeling he is prepared as best he can be before heading to the Czech Republic this week, "I think this year is tougher than last year for two reasons, last year I went into the meeting just back from injury, I was just proud to be there, this year I am in form and I can go give it my all.

"Also this year there is no other way last year some of the field probably knew they would be in anyway that is not the case this year so all 16 will be going for a top four place, there are still GP guys like Huckenbeck and Kvech in there as well but as I say I feel good and I am just preparing to go there give it my all make some starts and do everything I can."

It is when the chips are down that our captain is often at his best and all of a blue and gold persuasion will be cheering him on as he goes for glory.