Determined Bastianini Back On The Podium At Barcelona. Top Ten For Di Giannantonio
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 rider Enea Bastianini clinched a beautiful third place finish in today’s Catalan Grand Prix of Catalunya at the Montmelò circuit: the 18-year-old racer from Rimini rode a determined race fighting in the leading group for all the 22-lap race, finally climbing on the third step of the podium thanks to a beautiful overtake on Romano Fenati on the final lip, under braking at the last chicane. A very important result for Bastianini, who is coming from a difficult period marked by the injury on his right wrist that forced him to miss the French Grand Prix.
Also the other Gresini Racing Team Moto3 rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, enjoyed a very positive race: the 17-year-old rookie from Rome made a good comeback from 18th on the grid to the ninth position under the checkered flag, thus hitting his target that was to enter the Top Ten. An excellent result, achieved despite a small mistake on lap six – and a crash at the same time by two riders ahead of him, which forced him off track – which make him lose valuable ground.
ENEA BASTIANINI (3rd)
“It’s a nice feeling to be back on the podium! Today I had a good set-up that allowed me to be strong, especially when braking, and as a result I was able to fight for the win till the end. When Fenati passed me with two laps to go, Navarro managed to open a little gap and I knew it would be difficult to catch him, and so it was. However, on the final lap I managed to make a nice pass on Romano, taking the podium, which was our target for this Grand Prix. I had not an easy period lately, but being back means that we never lost confidence and concentration. It’s also nice to be here because I’m back from an injury: this result is undoubtedly a great satisfaction for me and for the team and a big boost of confidence”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (9th)
“I’m very happy with this result! Crossing the finish line in ninth place starting from eighteenth place on the grid is very good and we also hit the target we set ourselves, that was to enter the top ten. Too bad only for the episode that actually made me lose contact with the leading group: on the sixth lap I made a small mistake going a bit wide under braking and at the same time two riders crashed in front of me, forcing me to run off track to avoid the bikes. In the final stages I battled with Quartararo and Mir to try to get the seventh position, but they have been faster than me, especially on the brakes. Anyway I’m satisfied, this result shows that we are actually growing and now we want to continue on this path at Assen!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“I’m very happy for this podium! Enea lived a hard time and for sure coming back after an injury is never easy. Today, on a track he loves, he finally managed to get back on the podium fighting till the end with a lot of determination; in the final stages probably he could not launch the attack he wanted to try to win, but that’s okay: this result certainly gives moral to him and to the team. I’m also really happy for Di Giannantonio, who made a very good race: Fabio was starting from behind because of the penalization of five grid positions imposed after free practice, but he made a great comeback on a track he didn’t know. He collected important points and he showed once again his talent. I’m very happy, congratulations to the team, the riders and to all our supporters”.
