Fabio Di Giannantonio (4th) on Bezzecchi: “It’s like a different class”

The MotoGP weekend at Misano is one of the most important of the year for Fabio Di Giannantonio. But it is not only a significant home Grand Prix for the Italian; it is also important for Ducati and, above all, for the VR46 Racing Team, which is based just a few kilometres from the circuit.

With team boss Valentino Rossi watching on, ‘Diggia’ had to deliver on Friday to secure a good starting position for the rest of the race weekend. And Di Giannantonio did just that. Although he could only manage 10th place in FP1 in the morning, in the crucial qualifying session in the afternoon – which decided direct entry into Q2 – the Roman finished fourth. He was just over two tenths of a second behind Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia).

“In terms of feel and performance, we did a very good job. We were quick on both the medium and the soft tyres. It was positive,” said the 27-year-old. Di Giannantonio is using an older aerodynamic set-up on his Ducati Desmosedici – one he feels comfortable with. “It’s the standard fairing with the 2024 rear section. Because whatever I try at the moment, the new parts don’t give me the feeling I need. That’s why we’re sticking with what we’re used to.”

Di Giannantonio: “If there’s that much grip, we’re much closer to the Aprilias”

The time gaps were very tight on Friday. Only 0.8 seconds separated the top 15. What will be the key this weekend to standing out from the rest? “I don’t know. But if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you,” Di Giannantonio smiled during the media session.

Four Ducatis were in the top five in qualifying. Only Bezzecchi could keep up with his Aprilia. Is the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli a good track for Ducati? “I don’t know, because in the end Bez did very well. In the third sector, he rides as if he’s in a different class. Those are the corners where the Aprilia and Bezzecchi can make the difference,” Di Giannantonio explained. “We Ducati riders are quick here, and we’re getting the most out of the bike. But we also know that when there’s this much grip, we can be much closer to the Aprilias. However, I’m sure that if Bezzecchi is this strong here, the other Aprilia riders will be able to reach that level on Saturday too.»

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