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Today was a special day for Pecco Bagnaia. In his town of Chivasso, the Ducati rider was finally able to inaugurate the new headquarters of his Fan Club, founded in 2017 with Luca Cena as president. A space open every day and dedicated to his fans, who will be able to gather to cheer on their idol surrounded, by his leathers, from the ones he used on a mini-bike to the ones he used in the tests with Ducati.
The tickets available (limited due to Covid restrictions) were sold out and Pecco was able to spend some time in the company of his fans. It was a meeting conducted by the Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Paolo Ianieri, in which he talked about the future, answered questions from the fans and gave away many gadgets (including a precious pair of gloves used in the race last year) thanks to a lottery.
Bagnaia was thus able to relax before thinking about the first race in Qatar, scheduled in exactly two weeks.
"I am very happy, I can't wait to start - he told us - This winter we did a great job, Ducati has worked hard with the new bike and we have done everything to find the best possible compromise. I think we will be ready to start the season ”.
This time you start the championship no longer as an outsider but as a favourite, how do you feel in this situation?
“For sure it’s great. Last year at the end of the season I was consistently fast, we'll see how it goes. We will be able to understand immediately, FP2 in Qatar, at the time of the race, will be fundamental. It's a good feeling ”.
What idea did you have after the winter tests?
“As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy, as far as the others are concerned, it seems to me that Honda and Suzuki are competitive, as is Yamaha. KTM was really fast in low grip situations at Mandalika. It will be a great year because it is very difficult ”.
Were you sandbagging in these tests?
“I had a lot of things to do because when Ducati innovates it does so in a decisive way. They were tests like the ones we did a few years ago, working hard, while lately it always seems that we have to make good times to give explanations to the journalists (laughs). I knew that with the new tyres I would be in front, so I worked on something else ”.
Everyone talks about the front lowering device that will be used also during the lap ...
“The bike always rides the same way, it's just an advantage. Our engineers are very good and everyone tries to copy Ducati, but no other bike has the same charm ".
On paper it looks like it will be one of the hardest-fought championships in recent years.
“There seems to be a very high level, as it should be, and that everyone is really strong”.
Quartararo, Marquez and Mir, are these your main opponents?
"Fabio is the world champion and so the man to beat, then Marc will certainly be there because he has recovered from his injury and will be very fast. As well as Joan, because Suzuki did a good job. Marquez and Quartararo will be the main rivals ”.
You already fought with Marc last year, in Aragon, winning.
“That was my best victory, while the next one in Misano was the most difficult”.
What does this day together with your fans give you?
“It is really nice; we had been trying to organize this inauguration for some time but due to Covid we hadn’t been able to do it. I am happy, unfortunately I am not able to be around people as I would have liked and I hope to have the opportunity in the future. I'd like to organize a dinner after a good season at the end of the year ”.
