Third and fourth row for Bastianini and Di Giannantonio in tight Valencia Qualifying
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 riders Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio will start from the third and fourth row of the grid, respectively, in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Valencia, last race of the 2016 season.
At the end of a hard-fought Qualifying session, which saw no less than 27 riders in a single second, Enea Bastianini set the ninth fastest time, 1’39”559, in the eleventh of 12 laps completed. The 18-year-old rider from Rimini was unable to improve on his last attempt because of a small mistake in the first two corners, and so he will start tomorrow from the third row of the grid; Enea still remains ahead of the race, relying on a good pace.
Fabio Di Giannantonio instead closed the Qualifying session with the twelfth fastest time, 1’39”616: the 18-year-old rookie from Rome had the chance to improve further on his last lap, but a mistake at Turn 8 prevented him to do so. “Diggia” was still very pleased with the result, having achieved his best performance without other riders in front of him.
ENEA BASTIANINI (9th – 1’39”559)
“I’m not really happy with the result because I knew I could do better, today. Unfortunately in my last run I missed the right moment to exit the pit and I found myself alone on track. I’m a little disappointed because the feeling with the bike is good, although I was a bit on the limit with the front end, so on my last I couldn’t push hard. I made a small mistake at Turn 1, then I went a bit wide on Turn 2, so I was not able to improve. However I can keep a good pace, so I’m confident for the race. Too bad only for the pole position, which I think was within reach. I hope to make one last gift to my team tomorrow!”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (12th – 1’39”616)
“I’m very happy! For the first time this year I managed to stay in a good position during Qualifying, but especially I set all my best lap times alone, apart from the first run in which I was in the middle of the group. Too bad only for the final lap, in which I was under the fastest time in the first two sectors: I made a mistake at Turn 8. I was very fast on corner entry, then I tried to open the throttle quickly, but I lost rear grip al all my advantage. It would have been great to close that lap, but I’m still happy with the final result! Today we made a big step forward and for the race and we just have to consider whether to do some other small adjustment on the bike. We are ready and we can have a good race!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“It was a good qualifying, even though actually the final positions do not reflect our real potential. Fabio showed one of his best performances in Qualifying and in his last attempt he was in line with the fastest time: he did a good job together with the team and he’s pleased with the behaviour of the bike, so I’m happy. Enea also worked well and tomorrow he will be the game. Like always, we expect a closely fought race, with many overtaking opportunities, and we will there once again, fighting for the top positions!”.
