Pecco Bagnaia ends the first day of the Italian Grand Prix at the top of the hierarchy with his Ducati. An outcome that everyone, more or less, expected. However, appearances are deceiving. Because it only took 71 thousandths in the final moments of FP2 to get there. Otherwise, it was a Suzuki with a much lower speed with Alex Rins on it which would have been the star of this Friday at Mugello. And then, the other GP21s have difficulty anchoring themselves in the top 10. So Bagnaia calms the fervor of the Ducatists…
Taking stock of his first two test sessions in Tuscany, the Ducati official Pecco Bagnaia was still surprised to see himself identified as a strong favorite: “ by reading the statements of other pilots, It seems like I'm doomed to win here. But I don't see it like that ". He specifies : " I know what I have to do and what I can do. If on Sunday the maximum possible result is 4th place, I will try to get it and try again in another race. I know very well that winning at Mugello would be great, but that's not my goal ". A phrase repeated since already formulated on Thursday. A way to relieve pressure at home...
However, he cannot deny that he is in on it: “ Being first is always nice, but what mattered was the pace and understanding if everything was working well. I can say that everything is the way I like it. Being 1st or 5th doesn't change much. It's different if you're 22nd, but that's not the case. We'll see what happens tomorrow ". We will recall that his mentor Valentino Rossi is 21st…
« I was able to improve my confidence at the front and keep a good pace with the worn tires. I think I started this weekend in the best possible way and on Saturday we will continue to be able to better manage the wear on the rear tire » specifies the teammate of a Jack Miller tenth.
Bagnaia: “Every motorcycle has strengths and weaknesses”
Precisely, does he consider himself at least the leader among Ducati ? Not even… " I think I can learn from each of my brand companions. Miller is very good in the middle of the corner, Zarco accelerating. This track suits my style particularly well, maybe that's why I can perform so well, but I'm sure Jack and Johann will be in the top places on Saturday ".
Evaluating his colleagues in GP21, he does not fail to extend his expertise to the competition: “ I saw the Yamahas going very fast with Quartararo, Viñales and Morbidelli, then as I said before, I am sure that the other Ducati riders will improve and there are also the Suzukis. I would say that 7 or 8 riders will be able to fight for victory, but I also know that I have a very fast pace. I just have to continue on this path, which is the right one ».
Pecco Bagnaia ends with the fact that the hierarchy reveals in a pocket handkerchief motorcycles with characteristics that are almost opposite… “ Every motorcycle has strengths and weaknesses, the Desmosedici is a difficult and tiring motorcycle to ride, but we recover in acceleration and braking. The Yamaha is easier and faster in the middle of the corner, at least that's what I see from the outside, having never tried it. In the end things balance out ».
MotoGP Italy J1: times
Credit classification motogp.com
