Fabio Di Giannantonio is certainly the one who can be most pleased with his end of the season in MotoGP. Because more than Pecco Bagnaia who was still playing for the world title, this compatriot played his last cards to continue not only his career, but also his daily life. Because he admits now, if he had not had this admirable start which notably led him to postpone his first victory among the big guys in Qatar, he would also have been in a real personal bind...
When it became clear that Fabio Di Giannantonio was going to lose his handlebars at Gresini for the benefit of outright Marc Marquez, no one gave much of their skin in the paddock MotoGP for the following year. Then he revealed himself admirably, showing that he was of the caliber of the good, as noted by Charles Pernat : " in the most difficult moments, when he knows he is on foot and there is no more room for him, a pilot either ruins himself or takes out what he has inside. He showed us a lot of things at the end of the season, I wouldn't be surprised if next year it was a surprise. Di Giannantonio's last races were of a very high level ».
“Diggia” remembers this tense period: “ I have to pay off my house, so it was definitely added pressure not knowing what was going to happen! But I tried to take things on the bright side and concentrate on my work. I think my only weapon was to be fast on the track, to try to say a lot of good things and to have a lot of people who support me ».
« Fabio Di Giannantonio arrived on tiptoe, the team had a very good impression and then he went very quickly »
And then, in Valencia, there appeared a living legend… “ Knowing that Valentino was at the side of the track and maybe looking at me was something that can make you a little nervous, because it's the best. But I was having a good time, I was super fast in almost all conditions ". The signing with the VR46 then arrived and Uccio Salucci, who first bet on Fermin Aldeguer, don’t regret it: “ I am very happy for Diggia, I really liked his attitude, both when I spoke to him and during the Valencia tests. He arrived on tiptoe, the team had a very good impression and then he went very quickly ».
« For me it's a new challenge and I like it, This is the first time I've worked with a driver who isn't part of the Academy ". And he specifies: “ Diggia, however, was not a plan B. He was doing very well at that time, I had spoken to him several times and I saw him with a devastating desire to come to us ».
