Stunning First Podium For Di Giannantonio, Second At Mugello. Bastianini Battles To 12Th
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 racer Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded off a memorable weekend with a stunning ride to his first Moto3 podium finish in today’s Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit. The 17-year-old rookie from Rome therefore claimed his first astonishing podium finish on home turf, at his seventh Grand Prix start.
Di Giannantonio rode a determined race, battling at every lap with the other riders in the leadign group: sixth on lap five, “Diggia” also took temporarily the lead during the sixth and tenth lap. On the final lap Fabio was again very strong in the crucial braking at first corner, thus remaining in the first positions, and he was very good at keeping the fourth position entering the long finish straight, ahead of the final sprint in which he snatched a deserved second place, just 0.038 seconds behind the winner, South African Brad Binder.
Di Giannantonio’s team mate, Enea Bastianini, returning after the right wrist fracture that forced him to stay in the pits in the last French Grand Prix at Le Mans, crossed the line in twelfth position. The 18-year-old rider from Rimini fought with determination in the leading group, but he was not able to be as strong as he wanted in the crucial braking point down the straight.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (2nd)
“I still can hardly believe it! Racing in the World Championship has always been a dream, so getting my first podium here in Mugello, in my home race, is something incredible! It was a great race, in which we battled right from the start: I had a pretty good start, then when I was in the leading group I tried to stay calm for a few laps. At a certain point, however, I recovered some positions and I said to myself that I could also make one lap in front of everyone, so at the braking of the first corner I took the lead. Since then it has been a constant battle, in fact I also have some signs on my leathers, but it was very funny! Because of the slipstreams we were coming very fast at the end of the straight and consequently it was not easy to stop the bike entering the first corner; in the last lap I went a bit wide, nevertheless I was able not to lose too much ground. In the end, before the last corner, I gave my best to maintain the fourth position before the final straight, because I knew it would be a good position for the sprint. I did it and, taking a fantastic second place. What a day!”.
ENEA BASTIANINI (12th)
“It was a very close and hard race: unfortunately I struggled to be fast down the straight and as a result I couldn’t be so strong on the braking at the first corner to pass other riders. Anyway, in the second part of the race I was able to set a good pace and thanks to a good slipstream I arrived in a good position at the braking point for the first corner, passing several riders. In the final laps we were still all very close, but I continued to struggle under braking and I was unable to gain other positions. Too bad, because my arm was not hurting too much and it has not particularly affected my riding. We need to try to solve these problems to try to be faster in the race: we always make a good qualifying because I can be fast when I ride alone on the track, but when I fight in a group, the other riders pass me under braking and as a result I can’t take the ideal line. We will try to make the most of tomorrow’s test here”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“The race was hard-fought and amazing! Fabio got a well-deserved second place that, here at Mugello, has a special flavor for all of us. I’m happy for him and for the whole team, which worked very well throughout the weekend. To bring on the podium a young rookie like ‘Diggia’ after only a few races in the World Championship it’s also a great satisfaction. Also Enea today has proven to be back in good shape, riding a good race despite the recent wrist fracture, so we hope to be able to stay soon at the top with both riders!”.