Former GP rider Alessandro Lupino gave the brand new Ducati 450 a win in its first ever moto as he took a convincing victory in the Italian championship opening race at Mantova. He took the lead on the first lap and pulled away to take an unchallenged win.

Honda’s Giuseppe Tropepe took second from Alvin Ostlund with Ivo Monticelli fourth after a poor start. He passed Cedric Soubeyras as British MX2 champ Isak Gifting came from last to sixth on his 450 Yamaha.

In the second moto, Gifting got a good start while Lupino was mid pack. Gifting got through to second and caught leader Emilio Scuteri who had been seventh in the opener. The Swede got by and pulled away to win by almost eight seconds.

Scuteri took second ahead of Soubeyras and Ostlund, Tropepe and Christrophe Charlier.

Lupino fought through to seventh so Gifting took the overall win with Lupino second overall with Tropepe third.