After a lackluster season with Kawasaki last year, Luca Göttlicher wants nothing more than to return to the success he enjoyed with Triumph—only this time with MV Agusta. The only thing standing in the way of the EURO MOTO Supersport rider right now is himself.
Luca Göttlicher turned 19 on Wednesday. It should be a reason to celebrate, but “Lucky Luc” isn’t really that happy. Just before the new year, the Bavarian rider crashed twice during practice in Valencia. “It rained for three days; I didn’t get on the track until the last day. I didn’t want the long trip to have been for nothing. That’s when it happened.” However, he didn’t sustain the shoulder injury he’s been dealing with for weeks on the track, but off it. Göttlicher took a spill on his bike in the paddock.
Hardly any miles covered by Easter
Göttlicher ended his post-surgery recovery period by participating in the “1,000 Kilometers of Hockenheim” over Easter. It may not have been the best decision. The physical strain set back his recovery, “but I just had to get back on the bike and see how things were going. I’ve hardly ridden at all since the IDM finale in Hockenheim.”
Göttlicher has teamed up with MV Agusta for the next two years. “The conditions are good. During the first test at the track day in Oschersleben, I was as fast as Dirk Geiger. Although that doesn’t mean anything yet,” says Lucky Luc, who now rides for LJ Racing, playing it down. Over the past three years, Till Belczykowski had done pioneering work there with the F3 800 RR and finished last season in 15th place overall.
Back to the Future
For P15, there’s no question about it. “We’re stepping things up a notch and bringing most of the team along. Two people have been assigned to data recording, one of whom has already worked on the World Championship.” What does the teenager from Schwifting have in mind for the results list? “I want to repeat the success of the championship-winning year on the MV Agusta.”
As a reminder: As a rookie in 2024, he secured two podium finishes, along with eight additional top-ten results. However, Göttlicher estimates the chances of him competing at the season opener at the Sachsenring at “45 percent at most. My shoulder has to be up to it; otherwise, there’s no point.”
