Bagnaia: “The best way to end a weekend”

Before Francesco Bagnaia this Sunday, we had to go back to Casey Stoner in 2008 to find three victories in a row for the same Ducati rider. Neither Andrea Dovizioso, a three-time world vice-champion, nor Jorge Lorenzo have succeeded so far...

However, the Italian admits to not having started his weekend on the right foot. “It’s the best way to end a weekend, but I was surprised to start like that,” he says. I wasn't competitive until yesterday in FP4, I couldn't go fast. We did a lot of work on Saturday and I'm happy. As a precaution, we used the soft front. I think it wasn't the best choice, because I had a lot of blockages, but I am nevertheless delighted with the job accomplished. Let's try to continue to collect points. It won't be easy, because Fabio is, as always, very competitive, but we have to try. »

To win, Bagnaia had to jostle a bit against Jack Miller who did not hesitate to try to take the advantage. It was therefore a question for “Pecco” of taking shelter to avoid finding himself in difficulty. “I had already had a lot of movement up front,” he emphasizes. I told myself that if I stayed behind him, the tire pressure was going to be too high. He overtook me very easily, but I was able to improve my pace a little and widen the gap. »

Ducati has never managed to string together four victories in a row. In a few days, Bagnaia will return to Misano, a circuit he knows perfectly. “I'm happy, because I've never won three races in a row,” explains Bagnaia. We use this dynamic to help me progress with my team, my family, my girlfriend, the VR46. We work together to find the reasons for my mistakes and try to improve. Of course, I have to learn a lot more things to reach the level of the top drivers before. I think I have taken a step and I must continue to do so. »

Red and Stoner in support of Pecco

Bagnaia is one of the many Italian riders in the VR46 Riders Academy, Valentino Rossi's academy. Although absent, the nine-time world champion continues to provide advice to his protégés. There is another legend of MotoGP who also gives some tips to Bagnaia, a certain Casey Stoner. And this is not the first time that the Australian has helped: “I spoke again with Vale and Casey this weekend,” confides Bagnaia. “Vale” is more of my mentor and he always gives me advice like about tires. He told me not to use the software up front, but I used it anyway (laughs). He's definitely going to tell me something. About Casey, Friday, he helped me understand certain situations better. From the television or his experience, because he rode here with Ducati, he felt something. This is more of a comment from his experience and I tried to see. I think something helped me this weekend. »