Fabio di Giannantonio on motivation: “There are good days and bad days”

MotoGP riders are among the fittest athletes in motor sport. As well as race weekends and test sessions, the riders spend countless hours on their road bikes, in the gym or training on motorbikes. Fabio Di Giannantonio made it clear in a social media post that even at this level, motivation isn’t always at the same level every morning.

The Italian gave his fans on Instagram an insight into his approach to daily training. In doing so, the VR46 rider dispelled the notion that a professional sportsperson starts their training programme every day full of enthusiasm. “Being a professional athlete doesn’t mean waking up motivated every morning,” Di Giannantonio clarified. “There are good days, bad days, days when you feel unstoppable, and days when you simply can’t be bothered to do anything at all.”

For the MotoGP rider, it is precisely on these difficult days that it becomes clear how seriously an athlete pursues their goals. In his view, motivation alone is not enough. Consistency over a long period of time is far more important. “That’s exactly when consistency counts. Turning up anyway. Getting the job done. Trying to get a little bit better every single day,” said the 27-year-old, describing his approach.

Fabio di Giannantonio beim Rennrad-Training

Foto: Fabio di Giannantonio

This is a realisation that Di Giannantonio has only come to in the course of his career. Since making his debut in the World Motorcycle Championship in 2015, the Roman has competed in Moto3 and Moto2 before moving up to MotoGP in 2022. He now regards intensive training away from the racetrack as an integral part of a professional’s daily routine.

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Consistency is more important than perfection

Yet perfection is expressly not what he strives for. “One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt so far is that, as a professional sportsman, it’s not about being perfect every day,” explained Di Giannantonio. “It’s about continuing to develop – even on the days when it’s difficult.”

Physical preparation plays a particularly important role in modern MotoGP. The high stresses involved in braking and accelerating, as well as the ever-faster and physically demanding motorbikes, place great demands on riders over a full race distance. Accordingly, the riders work consistently on their fitness between Grand Prix events.

Di Giannantonio takes a simple approach to this. Rather than focusing exclusively on one major goal, he prioritises his daily work: “One day at a time. Always working to become a better athlete and a better version of myself.”

In doing so, the Italian also offers a rare glimpse into the less glamorous side of life as a MotoGP rider: not every training day begins with maximum motivation – but it has to be done regardless.