
His name, Franco, derives from ancient Germanic and it literally means “free man”. You look at this genuine and open-hearted 25-year-old racer, and you have to admit that this name suits him well.
Helmet on, Franco Morbidelli is used to pushing the limits and challenging himself, whereas off track he has a sunny disposition, and his contagious smile makes him different from the rest of the MotoGP riders.
Life has not been too kind to him. The premature loss of his father could have knocked him down, Franco instead, found in himself an inner strength to react, and to win.
Despite all this Franco is an extremely relaxed person to encounter; always smiles. Maybe because running through his veins he has the breeze of Recife – the Venice of Brazil - , or maybe because he had to grow up too fast and he knows what are his priorities in life.
Born in Rome to a Brazilian mother and Italian father, as a child, Franco Morbidelli is the son of two cultures. “From my mom Cristina, I inherited the love for samba, nature, and life. Calm and relaxation come from the Brazilian side of my family, the feeling of simply letting go and going with the flow” confesses Franco, “from my dad Livio, I learned to be as serious as possible at work. These two souls co-exist in me. I remember fondly playing football barefoot on the white beaches of Recife and the soccer tournaments with my friends in Tavullia. Friends and bikes have accompanied my life. Bikes are freedom and fun, like samba”.