DIGGIA NARROWLY MISSES OUT ON WIN IN LOSAIL SPRINT RACES, ALEX JUST OUTSIDE TOP-3
This has been without a doubt the best race of the year for Team Gresini MotoGP who in the sprint race at Losail managed to occupy the front row with both riders first and then finished with Diggia second and Alex fourth. It is a Saturday to remember especially for the Italian rider who despite a ‘false start’ did a great job in bouncing back and finishing only behind Martin – with a big margin from the following riders (2 seconds on Marin, third at the line).
For Alex Marquez it was an absolute show of strength in a race weekend where until then had not shone (two crashes and Q1), but where he was able to get up to speed and find the right pace just in time to be again among the protagonists.
To wrap up with a key stat, Team Gresini MotoGP was on the front row with both riders in a Gran Prix for the first time since 2005, when Gibernau was on pole with Melandri alongside him.
2nd– FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (12th in the championship standings with 110 points)
“I made a mistake at the start and had a small issue with the front-end for half a lap, which limited me a little, with the front tyre that heated up a lot. I had to recover while also saving the tyre, but I had a great pace. I tried to win it but the closer I got to Jorge the more I had issues with the front-end. The performance is still there, however, and we’ll have to work tonight in order to have a chance tomorrow in the race.”
4th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (11th in the championship standings with 155 points)
“I suffered a little with chattering throughout the whole day and after a few laps the same issue reappeared in the race… Honestly I even thought about getting the win, but we’ll try again tomorrow. We’ll need a great start and to fix today’s issues. I’m happy with Fabio as he’s working hard and to have such a fast teammate allows me to grow, too.”