Member of the VR46 Riders Academy and Moto2 Rookie of the Year, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is one of the rare riders born in Turin. He was born at the foot of the Alps on January 14, 1997 and we would like to take this opportunity to wish him a happy birthday.
For the start of his international career, Francesco joined Monlau Competición and finished third in the CEV in 2011, with a pole position and a victory. Recruited by the Italia FMI team in 2013, the Italian had a complicated start in Moto3. He scored no points, but won a seat in the Sky Racing Team VR46 in the same way as his teammate Roman Fenati. In 2015, Pecco abandoned his KTM for a team Mahindra Asparagus, with which he won twice, at Assen and Sepang.
Last year, for his Moto2 debut on an Academy Kalex, he placed fifth in the World Championship and first rookie, with 4 podiums at Jerez, Le Mans, Germany and Misano.
Le titre de “rookie de l’année” était-il votre objectif ?
“Yes, and that makes me proud because the competition was high level: Moto3 World Champion Binder, plus Navarro, Quartararo and Andrea Locatelli came with me. »
Last year you returned with the Sky VR46. How did this return take place?
“I found a much improved structure, I spent a lot of time with those around me – with group dinners and not only – because I want to have the best possible relationship with those who work next to me . It’s important to create confidence in the team, and that’s one of the strengths of my package today.”
What was the main adjustment in the transition from Moto3 to the middle class?
“You could think about the power of the engine, but in reality I learned to manage it, partly because I had experienced this mini-test in Valencia on the Ducati MotoGP, which has twice, if not three times, the power of a Moto2. The adjustment was mainly in the management of the weight of the bike, an aspect that forced us to undertake a long work, in which we perhaps made a decisive turning point during the recent tests in Jerez and Valencia when we had everything immediately saw the advantages linked to the change of suspension, with the transition to Öhlins”.
For the first time, you will start a season by joining the list of candidates for the world title: do you feel under pressure?
“No, because having the right package to try to win is the best feeling! In fact, this is the first time I've been on the list of title contenders, and that excites me. I know that the journey will not be easy and that there will be a certain number of fundamental rules to respect. »
Which ones?
“Waste nothing, leave nothing to chance, be consistent and work with a winning head, this means not underestimating anyone but at the same time being totally convinced of your own means. It is this confidence that allows you to believe that good things will be destined to come before you. It’s about putting two lessons learned during these years to good use.”
What are you referring to?
“In the first case, two years in Moto3 with the Mahindras, in 2015 and 2016, because that's where my maturation began: working with the Aspar team made me grow because I was riding a bike which, with with all due respect, was not the best on the grid, and I had to recover in the curve what I lost on the straight. So I had to work a lot on driving and settings, I learned a lot of important things, starting with the fact that nothing should be left to chance. »
And the other lesson?
« Elle vient évidemment de Franco Morbidelli. Quand je parle de “tête pour gagner” je vois sa saison pendant laquelle il est devenu Champion du Monde. Franco était absolument convaincu de ses propres ressources et cela lui a permis de gagner même quand il n’était pas favori. Qui gagne la course après un week-end difficile s’avère être un pas au-dessus des autres ».
Oliveira has won the last three races, in which Binder has always been on the podium. Is KTM’s progress worrying?
“This is certainly not to be underestimated, but not surprising, given the size and experience of the house, which has achieved excellent development over the year. KTM made the last qualitative leap thanks to the new swingarm, used in the last four races, in which we struggled to be incisive. KTM has reached its peak, but now we are also waiting for the response from Kalex.”
How will it materialize ?
“In Jerez and Valencia we tested an evolved version of the 2017 bike, but we focused mainly on the suspension work. For the next tests we are waiting for a new frame and a new swingarm. Kalex works hard because he wants to continue to reign in Moto2.”
Photos © VR46 Riders Academy
Source: Moto sprint
