Following the first episode dedicated to the ROK Cup Winter Trophy last February, the ROK Talk Show continues with the second episode of the 2026 season. Last Thursday, April 2, at 9:00 p.m., the web program dedicated to the post-race coverage of the Vortex one-make series aired on our Facebook page.

The episode focused on the first round of the ROK Cup Italia, held at Cremona San Martino del Lago Karting Circuit, was host by Matteo Bobbi, a technical expert for Sky Sport F1 and driver with an enviable career in karting, Formula 1, and GT racing. As always, the show featured highlights and interviews with the drivers who stood out in the seven categories on track (Mini ROK U10, Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK, Expert ROK, Super ROK, and Shifter ROK).

In particular Ghazi Almekdad — winner of the Mini ROK category — described the decisive duel with Filippo Frigerio, who ran with determination until the final stages: “When he passed me in the early laps, I looked back and realized we had a good lead, so I planned to overtake him on the final lap. We managed to pull away, and we had a great battle until the last corner.”

Alessandro Viganò won in the Expert ROK class, winning both the pre-final and the final—a result that was far from an inevitable end: “In the second half of the race, I found Andrea Sorbello right behind me and thought I wouldn’t be able to finish first. In my opinion, the red flag saved me, because I wasn’t sure I could stay in front during the final laps.”

Giuseppe Gaglianò is satisfied with his third-place finish in the Super ROK, especially considering a problem he had during the pre-final: “We showed excellent race pace and even set the fastest lap in the final. If I’d started from the front, I could have fought for the win, but it’s still good for the championship.”

Despite a limited training in the previous weeks, Nicola Rossini was Marco Chiarello’s main rival in the Shifter ROK: “I battled more to find the right feel for this circuit. Chiarello was in great form; I gave it my all but didn’t have all the necessary to keep up with him. I’m happy with second place, even if it leaves a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.”

The ROK Talk Show also featured two parts dedicated to the Rokkers: a challenge in which the drivers had to put into a bag various objects (some related to karting, others not), trying to identify as many as possible in sixty seconds; and an in-depth discussion of their opinions on the renewed race format, which now consists of qualifying, pre-finals/eliminatory heats, and the final.

For those who haven’t seen it yet, the ROK Talk Show is available online on our social media platforms:

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