QATAR APPROACHES AND SO THE JOURNEY OF TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP
#QatarGP preview. After the completion of the (excellent) official tests of Sepang and Mandalika, it is time to get into the heat of the action as the 2022 season opener marks the return of Gresini Racing as an Independent Team within the premier class.
MotoGP proceedings will get underway at the Losail International Circuit, a track that has been kind so far to the Faenza-based squad: from 2004 to 2014, the team created by the late-great Fausto Gresini and now led by his wife Nadia Padovani, has always crossed the finish line within the top-15 – with a legendary one-two in the debut GP courtesy of Gibernau and Edwards.
This event marks the team debut with Ducati, although the signs coming from the duo of Bastianini and Di Giannantonio are undoubtedly promising. Last year, the rider #23 did manage to finish to score a top-ten finish in his MotoGP debut while being the best-placed rookie at the finish line. Who knows, maybe his teammate will replicate a similar type of performance on a track that saw him on the podium 12 months ago (Moto2).
ENEA BASTIANINI #23
“I must say we are super ready. Testing was very good and as a team we are gelling very well together as a team. I like the Qatari track and I did quite well in my MotoGP debut last year. We have more experience now so it’s time to stop talking and start racing! My physical preparation went very well, and I felt the bike as my own since the first day in Malaysia.”
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49
“First race of the year and first MotoGP race of my career… we’re so charged up for it. We are eager to take to the track also considering what we did during testing, as we made steps forward both with the bike and the team. I must admit that the last month has been quite complicated fitness wise as I’ve had some issues that affected me Malaysia onwards, but then I was able to work well so we’ll be ready. The realistic goal is to continue to learn and grow, the optimistic one is to score my first points!”
