Bastianini, fourth at Valencia, is runner-up in the Championship. Di Giannantonio battles to clinch fifth
The Gresini Racing Team Moto3 wrapped up the 2016 season with another stunning performance in today’s Grand Prix of Valencia at the Ricardo Tormo circuit: both Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio fought for the victory until the last meters, closing an exciting final sprint in fourth and fifth position, respectively. A result that allowed Bastianini to confirm the second place in the standings, and graduate runner-up in the Championship. Di Giannantonio has instead ended his first World Championship season with an excellent sixth place overall, beaten only by Spaniard Joan Mir, second today, in the ‘Rookie of the Year’ Trophy classification.
Starting from the second row, Bastianini remained always in the top positions and only one small problem entrering second corner on the penultimate lap, with the gearbox that came in neutral, didn’t allow him to launch the final attack for the podium. The fourth position has nevertheless allowed the 18-year-old rider from Rimini to maintain the second position in the Championship with an impressive tally of 177 points.
Always remained in the leading group, also Di Giannantonio missed something in the final laps to clinch the podium: the 18-year-old rookie from Rome crossed the finish line in fifth, thus missing the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title, conquered by Joan Mir, risen to 144 points thanks to today’s second place. Fabio however closed the standings not so far behind him, with 134 points, demonstrating the tremendous growth showed during the season.
ENEA BASTIANINI (4th)
“It’s been a very difficult race: right from the first laps I noticed that I was struggling in some points of the track and I thought that probably it would have been difficult to fight for the victory today. The podium however was within our reach, but in the penultimate lap the gearbox came in neutral at Turn 2 and for this reason I was no longer able to launch an attack. Too bad for the podium, but I’m happy because it was another great race and I really enjoyed myself battling; moreover, the second place in the Championship is a great satisfaction. This was not only the last race of the season for me, but also the last in this team. I therefore want to thank all the members of the team who have supported me over the years and Fausto Gresini for giving me this great opportunity”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (5th)
“I would have loved to win here, but it was a very hard-fought race: in the lead we have always kept an incredible pace. In the end I really pushed hard, I gave it 100%, but I was a bit struggling with the front tyre, because in the first few laps my ride has been a little too aggressive, and so it was not possible to attack. I know I should not be disappointed, because it’s been a fantastic season, but a little bitter taste for having missed the ‘Rookie of the Year’ trophy. I’m still happy, we closed an incredible season with another great race, and this year I was able to grow race by race. I would like to thank the team, which helped me a lot in my first experience in the World Championship, and now we look forward to the next season!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“Also today, in this last race, we showed a great performance. Bastianini got second place in the Championship and I’m very happy with this result, considering that the season was not always easy, with two injuries. We can definitely say that we have done a great job over the years together with Enea: we leave a rider ready to win. In the same way, we can say that we have done a great job also with Di Giannantonio in his first year in the World Championship: after a difficult start, Fabio improved really quickly, enough to miss ‘Rookie of the Year’ title for just a few points. He did his best and we could not ask for more. Sixth place in the championship, a few points behind a much more experienced rider like Bagnaia, is a great achievement and shows that ‘Diggia’ is ready to fight next year. I wish to thank the whole team for their work, the riders, and all the sponsors and partners who have supported us. Next year we want to do even better!”.
