Cristian Borrelli: Giving up football, to dream on two wheels

During the same year, Borrelli experienced his first season in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and meanwhile he completed his second year in the Moto4 European Cup, where he secured two pole positions and several races in the front group with Team Echovit Pasini Racing. The rider born in 2010 scored only a few results in the top 5, partly due to several crashes, but he nevertheless demonstrated considerable speed and he will now learn from this experience to make another step. In 2027, he will compete again in the Rookies Cup again, and he could move up within the MotoJunior paddock...

Palmen in Motorradsport interviewed Cristian Borrelli to discuss his 2026 campaign and, mainly, to get to know his story.

Cristian, how do you rate your season in the Moto4 European Cup?

It wasn't very positive for me. We showed a few times that we could fight for the win, but due to my own mistakes or to other factors, I had a lot of crashes. For example, at Jerez I could have won both races, but I ended up crashing twice and scoring zero points instead of 50. I expected more, but I know I still need to improve. I will learn from my mistakes.

You also had your first season in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. How was the experience?

I had a difficult season, because the level there is even higher than in the Moto4 European Cup (his best result was 8th in Race 2 at Assen, ed). However, I had a great time, I learned a lot and I felt great on the bike.

In terms of riding, do you feel more comfortable on the Moto4 European Cup Honda or on the Rookies Cup's KTM machine?

I think the KTM is better for me, not in terms of performance, but for my riding. It's a little bigger and I feel more comfortable on it. However, I still need to fully adapt to it, because the KTM is more difficult to understand compared to the NSF250R. Competing in Moto3 in 2027 would be very important, as it would allow me to ride bikes that are more similar to each other. I hope I can move up to the Moto3 Junior World Championship in 2027.

You mentioned earlier that you still need to improve. What do you exactly need to work on?

In the races I finished without crashing, I maybe was not aggressive enough in the closing stages. But when it comes to speed, I think I'm already very strong.

Let's noe talk about the beginning of your career. Why did you choose motorcycle racing?

My father took me to a track near our home, in Codogno, and I really enjoyed it. Until I was nine or ten years old, I did both motorcycle racing and football, and I even made it into Cremonese's youth team. At a certain point, however, the team I was going to race for told me that I would not be able to do both sports. I had to make a choice. Fortunately, I think I made the right one.

How did you manage practising two sports?

Racing was my priority, but I attended all the scheduled football training sessions, because I liked it and because it helped me in my preparation as well. Quite often, I had to miss matches because I had to go riding, so sooner or later I had to make a final decision.

And you chose motorcycle racing over football. Why?

I chose bikes because I am a bit crazy! (laughs, ed) Moreover, on a motorcycle you go at 200 km/h and more, and you generally experience stronger emotions.

How were your first seasons as a motorcycle racer?

I went through the entire progression from minimoto to Ohvale, even winning the Italian and European titles in 2020 on the Ohvale 110. I subsequently became Italian Champion in the 160cc category as well, and then I was strong also in the 190cc class. In the latter, I had some great battles with riders such as Edoardo Savino and Gionata Barbagallo. In 2023, I moved to PreMoto3 in the CIV, and that was where I had my first real season in motorcycle racing.

What do you mean?

I say so because that's when I really started to experience a rider's life. When you move from karting circuits to big tracks such as Misano and Mugello, everything changes.

What can you say about your seasons in the CIV PreMoto3?

I raced with the Bucci Moto team. For some reason, I managed to adapt very quickly and I was immediately quite fast. However, being fast on a bike is actually harder than adapting to it, and I really started to show my speed at the third race of the season, when I secured my first podium in the championship at Vallelunga. Then, 2024 was simply fantastic (six wins from 12 races and Italian PreMoto3 Championship title, ed). However, the step from CIV to MotoJunior is huge...

In 2025, you moved to the European Talent Cup (the former name of the Moto4 European Cup, ed). Were you satisfied with that season?

Yes, especially because I managed to secure a podium at Magny-Cours as a rookie. I was often in the front group already in that year, particularly towards the end of the season. Even though I didn0t finish near the top of the championship standings, I was happy. At the beginning, the goal was simply to qualify for every race and finish inside the top 20 a few times. We finally went way beyond our expectations.

What's your goal in motorcycle racing?

To become MotoGP World Champion.

And who's your favourite rider?

Marc Márquez. That's because of how he came back from his injuries, and because his commitment and hunger are much stronger than many other riders'. Even when he wins, he always tries to improve further. In my opinion, he is the most complete rider ever.

Do you take inspiration from him in your career?

Yes. Not much in terms of riding, but rather for his dedication and commitment.

Have you experienced any particularly tough moments in your career so far?

Perhaps the 2026 season itself in the Moto4 European Cup. We had the potential to win the title or at least finish in the top 3, but the many mistakes we made throughout the year made that impossible. It was difficult for me to accept, but I still want to take what I have learned from this experience and improve the way I handle the most critical moments of the battle.

What do you like to do outside racing?

I still like playing football, though now it's only for fun. Other than that, I like running and cycling, but I mainly do it because it helps me prepare for races. Talking about my hobbies, I also enjoy playing tennis and padel. And I love going out with my friends around the village and doing wheelies with our mopeds. Unfortunately, because of racing, I don't have much time for that.

Finally, Cristian, it's time for the "Thank You Moment".

My family makes an enormous effort, and they go beyond their means so I can continue racing. So, they are the first people I thank. Then, of course, I want to thank my sponsors for all their support, especially Giorgio Ranieri, RCGM and Motoclub Paolo Tordi. Finally, I would like to thank Team Echovit Pasini Racing, Talenti Azzurri, the FMI (Italian Motorcycling Federation, ed) and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, for all the opportunities they have given, and continue to give, to me.

Palmen in Motorradsport is grateful to Cristian Borrelli for his availability, and to Stefano Ambrosi (Team Echovit Pasini Racing) for arranging the interview. Best wishes to both the rider and the team for the next chapters of their stories.