Mechanical Engineering student and 2009 Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider Niccolo Canepa joined almost two thousand Italian students in attending 'Snowbreak' held at Sestriere from December 5-8.

Canepa participated in various events, including those involving snow scooters and pitbikes.

"This has been for me a special occasion to feel like a normal student," said the MotoGP rookie. "To stay with people of my age that are also enrolled in university made me feel really good. It's the first time I've participated in Snowbreak but it will not be the last.

"Cento&venti management, the agency that has organized this incredible event, has done a phenomenal work. I was impressed of the amount of students that were here and notwithstanding this everybody was always busy with various events, competitions and parties that were in program.

"Of course this hasn't been for me just a vacation, next year an important season is waiting for me and also here I trained every morning in the gym and I followed a specific diet," he insisted. "Yesterday I was also able to ski for a while. I have to thank Vialattea, the city of Sestriere and Cento&venti management for the marvellous hospitality they have given me."

Andrea Colarelli, Major of the city of Sestriere, was 'honoured' that Canepa could attend.

"Snowbreak has reached an incredible amount of participants and for the last couple of years we have welcomed important sport persons, known worldwide, such as Niccolò Canepa this year," he said. "We are honored to have him here."

Canepa will ride alongside fellow rookie Mika Kallio at Pramac next season. Canepa's next MotoGP test will be after the winter test ban ends, at Sepang in Malaysia, in early February.