The reigning Moto2 World Champion and newcomer to MotoGP received a hero's welcome in Chivasso, his hometown, and gave himself an interview in front of the large audience.
Si Francesco Bagnaia doubted his popularity and the impact of his world title, he was reassured by seeing the crowd who came to welcome him in Chivasso, his hometown. It must be said that his lack of free time did not allow him to achieve what his coronation could represent: “At first I didn’t realize it but, little by little, I’m starting to do it. Since the victory in Malaysia I have been extremely busy and, although it's great to be busy thanks to a world title, now I feel the need to take a break. I need a vacation and I'm going to go and relax in the sun. »
New to MotoGP in 2019, “Pecco” is keen to succeed, and has understood that the preparation was different than in Moto2 : “MotoGP is at a high level, it’s not enough to just prepare, you have to experience it. Only by doing this can we understand what it is. »
Evolving within the VR46 Riders Academy alongside Franco Morbidelli and having just arrived from Sky Racing Team VR46, the Italian has a special relationship with Valentino Rossi that it will be difficult for him to erase on the track: “I am very good friends with Franco and we have a lot of respect for each other. It's the same thing with Valentino, which has always been an indisputable myth for me. Having spent his life having him as an idol and now finding him as an opponent on the track is a strange feeling, too great to explain. I can't look at it any other way. To me, Vale is Vale, and it will always stay that way. »
Even if he remains the colt of number 46, upon arriving at Ducati, he finds himself taken under the wing of another great Italian rider, Andrea Dovizioso : “Andrea helped me both during the Valencia test and the Jerez test. When he saw me on the trail he motioned for me to follow him. That a pilot of his level puts himself at the service of a beginner like me shows his greatness. He is very keen on the Ducati project, the bike is a bit like his baby and he is looking for other riders who can help him make it grow. However, my primary objective remains to learn and progress. »
The Borgo Panigale team has, in any case, given its maximum so that Bagnaia can be competitive quickly by awarding it experienced men in its technical team : “Ducati gave me a great gift by having me work with Cristian Gabarrini and Tommaso Pagano (technical chief and electronic engineer, editor's note.) A good relationship was immediately established between us. Their humility amazed me. They did not impose anything on me and on the contrary we mutually accepted our working methods. »
Finally, he returned to Ducati's early proposal who arrived to move to MotoGP in 2018 and which he refused and then accepted for 2019: “I liked the idea, but I had the possibility for the first time in my career to play for a title and I preferred to stay in my category. When I then signed with Ducati, I hadn't yet won a race in Moto2 and people pointed that out to me, it put pressure on me. But I was happy because it took away the fear and pressure I had for the future. I felt calmer and when I won in Qatar I found myself even more satisfied. »
