Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo team, second in the riders’ championship, participated in the press conference on Thursday of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the fourteenth stage of the 2024 MotoGP world calendar. Below are his statements.
Expectations for the weekend
“I tried two weeks ago, but I couldn’t do it. Jorge in the Sprint and Marc in the race were just too fast. When I saw Jorge coming back to the pits, I realised that I could gain a lot of points. It would have been difficult to overtake Marc and it’s fine to have finished 2nd. There are 7 points of gap, without Aragon I would have been closer. The goal is to maximize the work.”
The final rush
“A bit like Jorge if I compare myself to last year, I feel better, more physically prepared. Our experience gives us motivation and the ability to handle pressure. I think everything can be decided in Valencia.”
The double consecutive race
“We already know the tyres and set-up, but there will be more competitiveness from all the drivers, given that there have also been tests. There will be less heat and perhaps more brawling.”
Earn points without winning
“If Jorge is in front, no, if he is behind, maybe yes. I will do everything to bring home the victory, It’s my hundredth race and it could be the hundredth victory for Ducati. But I don’t want to take too many risks, but I want to win.”
Rossi’s words on 2015
“I’m out of this business. I wasn’t shooting back then and I don’t care.”
New parts
“No, the things tested in the tests are for next season. We will continue to ride the same bike, we have nothing new. That’s fine, but I already know that for 2025 we have something very interesting to start again from.”
Boos on the podium for Marquez
“Haters will always continue to hate, it’s a lack of respect. We give our best and it’s something I don’t understand. It’s not true that it only happens in Italy, It happened to me when I won in Barcelona too. When you give your all and people boo you, it’s disrespectful. It happens in every sport and it would be nice if ours was a little cleaner.”
The disappearance of Salvadori
“We have lost an important person, a friend. We had dinner together, he was a really nice guy. We loved him, he was also funny and he was passionate about motors. His passion pushed him to try everything. This gave me the motivation to follow him, the way he talked to us was fantastic. He was such a positive guy, he gave a lot of positive vibes. We will miss him and I will try to take with me the energy he shared with people. It will not be easy to pay homage to him, but I want to carry him with me forever.”
The bond with Ducati
“I love Ducati and I think Ducati loves me. But never say never. Marc also signed a long contract and you never know. I fell in love with Ducati when I was little and I will try to continue with this love, but you never know. Now my ambition is to continue like this, I love my team and the people who work here and in the company and I would like to spend my entire career here.”
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