MotoGP Valencia J2 Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati/8): “I’m anxious, but I have to live with it, I have to learn to do it”

Pecco Bagnaia suspected it: as the deadline for the Valencia race approaches, tension increases. And all the more so given the agitation he has around him and the personalities who follow one another in his box, he is clearly identified as a member of the winning clan. While there is still a race to do. The Ducati official, whose shoulders are heavy with the hopes of a manufacturer and an entire people, feels that he is not himself. This was seen this Saturday and he doesn’t hide it…

Pecco Bagnaia suffered during the second day of testing for the Valencian Community Grand Prix, the final race of MotoGP 2022 decisive for the awarding of the title. The pilot Ducati seemed more contracted on the handlebars, even if on Sunday in the race it will be enough not to make any mistakes to bring back the drivers' title to Borgo Panigale, 15 years later Casey Stoner. He finished eighth in qualifying, and that doesn't satisfy him despite the fact that he will only need a 14th place to be crowned.

« I'm not too satisfied, I expected a better feeling » admits the Piedmontese. “ Compared to last year, we have more difficulty and we are not too consistent. The pace is similar to that of 2021, but I then rode with more simplicity and more sensations ". He specifies : " when you put on new tires you can't tell the difference, whereas with worn tires you do better ". Then he admits: “ I have anxiety, but I have to live with it, I have to learn to do it. Tomorrow we will try to make a start like that of Sepang, although it will be more difficult here ».

Valentino Rossi: “ Pecco Bagnaia is contracted, it is not the usual Pecco« 

Whoever came to support him to celebrate Sunday evening, be Valentino Rossi, his mentor and also the last Italian World Champion MotoGP in 2009, commented on a Pecco from his VR46 academy: “ on paper, the situation works in Bagnaia's favor, but it's the last race and it's tough. We must finish, I tried to talk to Pecco, to understand how he is psychologically, he says everything is fine. He also said he's sleeping, but that's impossible. The nights before playing the world championship, it's hard to fall asleep ».

« He's contracted, not the usual Pecco, but we don't need him at the top this time. A Pecco from eighth place would be good » observes Valentino Rossi. “I see him in a somewhat difficult situation, it's normal, it's a human thing, the right thing is to admit it and try to do the best ».

He adds : " Quartararo has nothing to lose, but I would rather be in Pecco's situation. He has to be ready to finish 14th or better… You can't think of going a little slower, then nothing works, it's easier to make mistakes when you're on the track with the others ". And the Doctor finishes: “ so it's not that simple ».

MotoGP Valencia J2: Qualifying