Bastianini 8Th At Jerez After A Complicated Race. Diggia’s Hunt For Points Stopped By Pawi On The Final Lap
The Spanish Grand Prix, held today at the Jerez circuit, saw Gresini Racing Team Moto3 racer Enea Bastianini crossing the finish line in eighth position after a complicated race, in which the 18-year-old rider from Rimini failed to replicate the good pace showed during practice.
The race saw right away the first three riders opening a gap, while Bastianini, who started from the second row, was right away fighting in the first group of riders. In the following laps, Enea was not able to make a difference, complaining about some set-up issues, especially under braking. Thanks to today’s placement, Bastianini has now 29 points in the overall standings.
The excellent performance of the other Gresini Racing Team Moto3 rider, rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio, has instead been stopped on the last lap, when on the final lap Malaysian Pawi attempted a risky overtaking maneuver at the fast Turn 12, hitting the 17-year-old Roman, who could not prevent the fall. The first World Championship points thus vanished just two corners from the end for “Diggia”, which was in 14th position.
ENEA BASTIANINI (8th)
“Unfortunately today I had similar sensations to those in the previous races: I was struggling on corner entry and I couldn’t be fast even on the exit. The other riders were always passing me under braking and I’ve had some difficulties during the whole race, especially in the first part, but also in the final stages. Unfortunately I was not able to collect more today: it’s a pity doing races like this because we know we have a good potential. The bike can go fast and I know I can be fast, but now we need to figure out how to solve these problems”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (DNF)
“Until the last lap the race was very good and everything was going according to plan: I had a good start and in the first few laps I battled in the first group of pilots, then they split into two groups and I found myself in the second one. It continued a great battle, but I was often leading the group to make the pace. I pushed until the end, on the last lap I was leading the group in fourteenth position. Then unfortunately at Turn 12, a fast corner where usually you don’t make overtakes, Pawi made a risky maneuver, hitting me and taking me down. I’m disappointed because he didn’t allow me to take my first points, but the satisfaction of having done a good race remains. My feeling with the bike and the team is constantly improving, so I’m happy for that!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“It was definitely a tough race: Bastianini struggled with some set-up issues and the result is not the one we expected. Frankly, after practice, during which Enea showed a good pace, we thought we could do more today. Actually we could not keep the same pace, it was difficult to chase the fastest riders and then Enea was also slowed down by the fight in the first group of riders. The eighth place is not the result we are looking at, but it went like this: we have to look forward and stay focused. I’m very sorry for Di Giannantonio: Pawi knocked him down in the last fast corner and Fabio couldn’t do anything to prevent the fall. Fortunately he came unhurt, but it’s a real shame because today ‘Diggia’ would have collected his first championship points, a well deserved result in a difficult race. After the race Fabio was a little disappointed for that, but he will try again soon!”.
