SMARTIE’S SWEET VICTORY
I wonder how many people like me, who read the MCN race coverage of the Imola 200 on Wednesday, April 26, realised then just what a significant moment in motorcycle history – and more importantly in Ducati history – Paul Smart’s victory had created? I clearly remember our pub chat on that Wednesday night being one of shock that Ducati had won, but also delight that it was Smartie who had done the deed! Looking back at MCN’s coverage of the race, you get the sense that everyone else was in shock at what he achieved at Imola. Norrie Whyte’s opening gambit in the race coverage read: ‘Not given any serious chance at the beginning of the week, the local factory whose headquarters at Bologna are only 20 miles up…