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Gresini Racing's 2022 season seems to have started off really well. In the garage there is a pair of very young riders, with different and very important ambitions and then there is a motorcycle, the Ducati GP21, which, although not the latest version of Gigi Dall'Igna's creature, is in any case a winning bike that can often be a thorn in the side for the factory bikes.
Enea Bastianini is no longer a rookie and between Jerez, Sepang and Mandalika he has constantly proved to be at the top, confirming himself as one of the main contenders for the factory Ducati team for 2023. We have to remember however that they are still tests and that they mean very little, but they are important in any case. Bastianini will be fighting for a place in the top five very often this season and is aiming for the podium, we feel pretty sure.
"The tests are over and now the races are finally here - said Enea - I think we have done some excellent tests here in Mandalika, I think I have made further steps forward after Sepang, I have learned a lot. I was able to push in every session lap after lap. Today I'm not in a great position in the standings, but we didn't do a time attack. I just worked on the race pace and I'm very happy and I feel ready for Qatar. "
Do you think you have made a clear step forward?
"Now I am already competitive, my bike is more competitive. I feel better in every session, with this Ducati I can do everything, I can be fast and I’m working even better with the guys on the team. When you are a rookie, it is difficult to work in the garage. The bike is very powerful and difficult to understand. Now I'm more competitive and I will be here in the second race of the season. First, we race in Qatar, and we can do a great job for these races. "
The Ducati GP21 seems perfect for you…
"I liked the Ducati GP21 right from the start, the feelings were immediately excellent. I was able to be fast everywhere, from Jerez to Mandalika, as well as Sepang."
Fabio Di Giannantonio is also satisfied at the end of this winter test season. Unfortunately the Roman rider missed two days at Sepang which would have been important to finish his preparation in the best possible way, but this small problem does not seem to have damaged his adaptation process to MotoGP in any way.
Di Giannantonio: "This bike wears you out!"
"Overall it was a positive test period for us - said Diggia - We were able to improve a lot on the bike during the tests. I'm very happy with what we did today because I did a race simulation, albeit not over the whole scheduled distance. I was consistent and I understood a lot of things that I will need to better manage the bike in the race. I'm super happy with this test, I can't wait to start racing. "
Will losing two days in Sepang be important?
"Of course, lapping two more days in Sepang would have helped me to get here even better prepared, but that's the way it went. I'm happy with my situation at the moment, even though I'm aware that I still need to improve in many ways. There are a lot of races. and also tests during the season. We have time, so we need to stay calm and relaxed and let the learning process go on. "
How do you feel ahead of the first MotoGP race in Qatar?
"I can't wait to go to Qatar, it will be the first race of my life in MotoGP. Then Qatar is always a special place for me, the fact of racing at night is great. For me it is a dream come true, I can't wait to go and race there".
