Even if the air still vibrates with the thunderclap of the announcement of the separation between Tech3 and Yamaha, it had already been charged with electricity a few hours earlier with that of the Francesco Bagnaia's passage to MotoGP in 2019.
Indeed, if some praise Ducati's perspicacity in retaining new talents, others judge that the young Italian, as promising as he is, has not yet really proven himself.
In any case, the current holder of the Sky Racing Team VR46 team will be particularly watched this year, not only because his final tests in Jerez actually place it in the list of contenders for the Moto2 title, but also in anticipation of its accession to the MotoGP category, from the post-Valencia Grand Prix tests…
The 21-year-old from Turin spoke in an exclusive interview given to Luigi Ciamburro for the Italian site TuttoMotoriWeb.
The Sky Racing VR 46 team strategically decided to skip the Valencia test to focus on the next one in Jerez de la Frontera. Francesco Bagnaia set the best time in five out of nine laps and concluded his first outing of 2018 with the second best time in the combined standings over the three days, just three tenths behind Álex Márquez.
For the Piedmontese pilot, born in 1997, 2018 could be the year of consecration. All eyes are on the next test at Losail and the championship.
The 2018 Kalex responds well to requests, the changes work well, the first race simulation is satisfactory, and Bagnaia already has the experience to be consistent throughout the duration of the race. After Franco Morbidelli, another rough diamond from Valentino Rossi is ready for the exploit…
What are your first impressions following the Jerez test?
It was the first outing of the season for the entire Sky Racing VR46 team. We worked very hard during these three days, but the results are more than positive. The Kalex package for 2018 is very competitive, the race simulation (24 laps editor's note) gave good results, but we still have a lot of work to do.
What did you mainly work on during the test?
We tested the entire new technical package with the addition of the Öhlins suspensions which I had tested only once last November.
How important is it to be able to be part of the private sphere of the VR46 Academy?
I am certainly lucky as I have been part of the VR46 Riders Academy for several years. They follow me in every aspect, from training to race weekends, on the track. I am also a rider of Sky Racing Team VR46, the team with which I began my rise in Moto3 in 2014. Sky also supported me for two years with Team Aspar and I returned to the team to join the new category in 2017. We had great success.
What are you missing to climb the last step? What do you think you need to improve in your riding style?
We are working hard, but we still have room to improve. We have more experience than last year: me as a driver and the whole team from a technical point of view. After a season in Moto2 I know how to tackle the race over its entire duration, especially how to manage rear tire wear.
How does it feel to imagine a future in MotoGP and to be able to challenge Valentino?
I believe this is a dream for many an active pilot. But we will have time to talk about the future again. For now I want to focus on 2018 and achieve the goal I set for myself in Moto2.
Translation by Charlotte Guerdoux.
