Let's Talk MotoGP: Fabio Di Giannantonio Has Made a Big Decision

New race weekend, new XXL performance from Fabio Di Giannantonio in MotoGP. We didn't see much of him on screen, sure, but that didn't stop the Italian from delivering what was perhaps his best performance of the year. Unfortunately, the upcoming Thailand Grand Prix is ​​the last time we'll get to see him in 2024. Let's just hope he comes back stronger in 2025, because he's an extraordinary driver. Analysis of a remarkable performance.

 

Comeback

 

"Diggia", injured in the shoulder since the Austrian GP, ​​is suffering. He suffers so much that at Phillip Island, a driving circuit par excellence, he could not hide behind his bubble to reduce the wind resistance on the straights. Impossible to be comfortable, and yet, the Italian shone. We knew he liked this circuit, because it was here that he took his first podium in MotoGP. But no one expected him to make two such comebacks, especially after such a complicated qualifying session.

 

 

Directly qualified in Q2, he started only 12th, last in his session, ranked three seconds behind Jorge Martin. Marco Bezzecchi, his teammate, was fourth. However, in the two races, there was no match between the two, notably because of the errors of the "Bez". First of all, in the Sprint, where "Diggia", despite his pain, managed to finish fifth.. He was subsequently relegated to seventh for incorrect tyre pressures, which could have ruined his morale. But he did even better on Sunday over a distance twice as long. It is remarkable.

During the Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio flew ahead of Enea Bastianini, who nevertheless rides a more advanced version of the Desmosedici. Fourth at the finish, he was warmly cheered by his team, who can be satisfied with having signed this gem in the final moments of the 2023 season. This fourth place, is his best result this season – he had already finished in this position on Sunday in the Netherlands, but had never done better – is as beautiful as it is sad.

Sad, because he will only have one more race this season to prove that he can do even better, and with the profile of the Buriram circuit, which turns to the right this time, his affected shoulder could fail him.. Not to mention the heat, a parameter that only aggravates his physical fatigue.. Last year, he was rather disappointing in Thailand, so I don't expect a similar feat given the context which is entirely unfavourable to him.

 

 

A risky decision?

 

Di Giannantonio was betrayed by his body. He was desperately trying to postpone surgery on his left shoulder, but in the end, the Italian couldn't help it. It was a rather daring decision, which seemed more like a compromise. Here's why.

Firstly, because he will miss the last two Grands Prix of the season, that is a certainty and it is not very serious, but also, without doubt, the Valencia tests which follow. These are not essential but help to take stock of the following year.. He could, for example, have tested the Desmosedici GP24 there, while waiting for the GP25 to reduce the size of the step that will separate his old GP23 from the 2025 Ducati.

Second, because some pilots recover poorly from their operations. In medicine, nothing is ever a given. There is an element of luck in recovery, unfortunately.. Since his debut in late 2015, Di Giannantonio has never missed a single race, so it is difficult to predict how his body will react to this difficult period both mentally and physically. Nowadays, progress ensures a full recovery in most cases, of course, but there are some examples that show that it is sometimes difficult to recover quickly.

 

 

It was the right choice

 

But if we take into account the context, it was the right choice, certainly. Already, because it was his. And then, because he doesn't play anything this season, which might not be the case in 2025. He will be equipped, possibly, with the best machine on the grid, and will even be the only satellite rider to benefit from such a high-performance bike. I don't see why "Diggia" could not play for victory on multiple occasions, but we will have plenty of time to talk about it later.

Therefore, he cannot take the risk of suffering on two circuits that demand a lot physically – Buriram and Sepang, to, in the end, finish fourth at best. It is better to present 100% at the start of next year, because this could take his career to a whole new dimension, if the Ducati proves to be dominant. To be honest, I still struggle to understand why he didn't stop racing much earlier, before Australia for example. It already happened to me with Marc Marquez during the 2022 season, when he took the risk of participating in the Italian Grand Prix knowing that he would have to be absent afterwards. I'm not an expert, but wouldn't that increase his chances of aggravating his injury, for almost no benefit? Perhaps there are economic issues, or, more simply, contract clauses. If anyone can enlighten me on this subject, I am interested.

In any case, this decision by Fabio Di Giannantonio is crucial, because it means that he is already thinking about 2025, that he is aware of the seriousness of this deadline. He also confirmed this theory at Phillip Island. Clearly, he will be one to watch.

What do you think of his decision? Should he have made it earlier? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport