In an interview with Antonio Russo for Tuttomototoriweb, Fabio Di Giannantonio, the young Roman driver from Gresini Racing who reached the podium five times in 2017, talks to us about his season which will begin this Tuesday with the Valencia tests.
Born on October 10, 1998, Fabio will compete in his third season in GP with the same Del Conca Gresini Moto3 team, still on a Honda. He has so far participated in 37 races, without yet having won a victory, but with 8 podiums. In his first two seasons, he finished sixth in the Championship in 2016 and fifth last year.
“Last season, results were slightly below expectations, believes Fabio. My goal this year is just to try to have good races and then take stock at the end. »
Who do you think will fight for the Moto3 title?
“I think in the end it will be the usual names. Those who have always been competitive in recent years like
Martin, bastianini, Canet, Ramirez and even a bit of all the other Italians who are strong. So there will be many of us for sure. »
Is there a driver who particularly inspires you?
“I always really liked Troy Bayliss, I always try to emulate him because he's a great person, a great driver. I really like his relationship with people. I always liked it. »
Have you met him?
“Yes and it was really great. Every time I saw it I was always amazed. He's a great person. »
Would you like to race Superbike or MotoGP?
“When I was little I really liked Superbike, I really liked it. As a child, I wanted to go more towards Superbike than MotoGP. But there has been no growth in WSBK, and MotoGP is now the first category, the top of motorcycling, so we aspire to get to MotoGP first. »
From the outside, how do you see the situation with Valentino Rossi's contract renewal?
“I kind of hope for all of motorcycling that it ultimately stays. For all the fans, all the events that happen with him are special. He is the strongest, the greatest of all time. One day in the future his absence will be felt a lot in the motorcycle world, so I hope it really happens as soon as possible. »
Is there a special memory linked to him?
“I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago and I must say he is really great. You talk to him for 5 minutes and you seem to have known him for a lifetime. Then I often heard about him in the paddock, even my chief technician often told me anecdotes and told me that he was always a good guy, on and off the track. »
Can you explain the meaning of your number?
“My number is dedicated to Troy Bayliss. When I was a kid watching Superbike, I really liked this Australian with the number 21 and I fell in love. So when I had to choose a number, I immediately asked for 21 for Bayliss. »
Which bike would you like to ride in MotoGP one day?
“Already going to MotoGP would be a very good accomplishment. But if I had to choose one, I would say the Ducati. You know that an Italian on an Italian motorcycle always has an effect. Look at Dovi, it’s cool, it’s beautiful. »
Photos © Del Conca Gresini Moto3
Source: Tutomotoriweb
