Thanks to 39 thousandths of a second, Pecco Bagnaia scored his first Grand Prix victory at the Circuit on the legendary TT Assen circuit, thus symbolizing, with Fabio di Giantonnio, Andrea Migno, Romano Fenati and Niccolo Antonelli who completed the Top 5 (ahead of Jules Danilo), the revival of Italian motorcycles to the detriment of Spain.

A success to which Valentino Rossi is no stranger since although the Aspar rider does not ride in the Sky VR46 team, he is nonetheless part of the VR46 Riders Academy…

Pecco, how were those few hours after the race? How did you celebrate this victory?

“It was really nice, although I'm still forcing myself to believe it. It was a superb result, very important. It is a great satisfaction to bring the Aspar team to the top, several years after they were already there. We celebrated on the circuit, then again on Monday, with everyone from the VR46 Riders Academy together in Misano. I also spoke with my family and friends, I called them all and it was emotional for them. They saw that I was growing, making a lot of effort for me, and I think that this has largely repaid them. »

When did you think 'I can win this race'?

“I was aware of it during the race, I could see that I was very fast, especially in the final part of the track. I placed myself third but I could go wherever I wanted. The race was tough, but on the last lap I knew I could do it, that if I was third in the final sector I would have a chance to overtake them for the win. The bike was perfect, we couldn't do better. »

With only eight races contested this season, and ten more to go, how would you summarize the first half of the year?

“For me it has been a positive start, with three 3rd places and now a victory. It's just a shame that we lost so much ground in just two races – in Argentina and Barcelona – because in Montmeló we could have been fifth or sixth and Argentina could have brought a similar result if it had been dry . This way I would have been much closer to Navarro, for example. »

There is one race left before we reach the halfway point of the season and you already have more points than last year. What is your goal now for this championship?

“For this season we must remain as consistent as we have been in recent races. The goal from the start was to be in the top five in the championship so we need to keep pushing over the next few races and make sure we continue to take the checkered flag with as many points as possible. If we can continue like this, maybe we can surpass our initial goal and aim for something better than a final 5th place. The other objective could be to finish first Italian. »

What are your plans during the holidays?

“Nothing special: stay at home, at the sea and relax. Two weeks before the races I will be focused on training and preparation, both for Germany and Austria. In winter I will be able to travel a little, but not now. »