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Gabriele Giannini has no intention of throwing in the towel after a first half of the year full of mishaps and a bit sparse with results. In fact, the debut in World Supersport was not one of the easiest for the 21-year-old from Anzio, who arrived in the intermediate class of the production-based series to tackle his first full season in the World Supersport Challenge, riding the Prodina Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R.
It's a bike that certainly isn't helping the two-time National Trophy 1000 champion bring out the talent and speed he displayed riding the Pistard team's BMW, which last year allowed him to attract the attention of Manuel Puccetti and the World Superbike paddock. So much so that they are beginning to cast some shadows on the future of the Roman rider, who is working with his manager, Gianluca Galesi, to try to relaunch the challenge to the category in 2025. Just as Giannini told us in this long chat, in which we discussed the difficulties at the beginning of the year and the future that awaits him.
Gabriele, I think this season is not going according to plan.
"The goal at the beginning of the year was at least to consistently fight for the points zone, but unfortunately we are not succeeding. We only managed to take one point in Race 2 in Assen and we are far from the Top 15. We knew the category was very tough, but obviously I didn't expect to be so far behind. Unfortunately, we were also a bit unlucky because we often had a lot of technical problems and that didn't help us. We like the other two Kawasaki riders are struggling a lot. Oncu is in his fourth year with this bike, so he has more experience than me, but I didn't expect to struggle like this."
What is the biggest difficulty you are experiencing?
"The new format of Superbike is definitely not helping me, because last year there were two practice sessions and then we would start with qualifying, whereas now, with only one free practice session, I who don't know the tracks can barely learn the track and I don't have time to prepare the bike for qualifying. Riders who have been racing for years in the World Championship, and already know where to put their wheels, have a big advantage."
Was it particularly complex to switch from a 1000cc to a 600cc?
"I got on well with the 1000cc right away because my weight and height are felt much less. Then also in terms of riding style, I prefer to 'edge' rather than run the bike so much, as you have to with the 600cc. Also because you don't have the horsepower and power of a 1000cc, which when you edge then starts again. This is something I'm still trying to learn and make the most of, but if I have to choose between the two bikes I have to say that I was definitely better off with the 1000cc."
In hindsight, do you think Supersport might not be the right category for you?
"Looking at the others a little bit, it seems to me that the Next Generation bikes are so close to the riding style of the 1000cc. Ducati and MV riders ride so much 'Stop & Go,' while Yamaha and Kawasaki ride like an old 600cc, so I don't think it's really a category issue. In my opinion, Kawasaki has fallen a little behind and is struggling a lot."
So is the package the problem?
"Unfortunately there have been a lot of technical problems, so let's say the package is not the top. Last weekend I practically didn't ride on Friday because of some technical glitches. I ended up on Saturday doing four laps in the warm-up, which is 10 minutes, and then I went straight into the race. It's already difficult in itself not knowing the tracks, if you then skip both free practice and qualifying it's a weekend all about chasing. I don't feel like pointing the finger at the team for technical problems, though, also because I'm getting on well with my team in the SSP600. I don't have any problem with them, we are trying to work well and we are all in the same boat: we are trying to do the best."
How do you deal with a moment like this?
"It's definitely not easy, because I'm going through a period when so many people expected more from me, because there was so much talk about it, also because of the Superbike thing with Puccetti. However, I know how things are and even though it's not easy emotionally, I'm always focused to the max and I've practically doubled my commitment compared to last years: I'm training twice as hard as last year both physically and mentally and I even bought myself a Kawasaki 600 to train on. I'm trying hard because I don't want to have any regrets. My motto is 'never give up', never give up! Every weekend we start from scratch, trying to learn something new and the tracks for next year. It's not a great time, but I think I know my capabilities and as of today I don't think I'm a Top 5 rider, because the top 5-6 really do a different sport. But I also don't think I'm a rider who should be so far behind. We'll see if we can get closer to the points zone and then we'll see."
Is the goal for next season to continue in Supersport?
"Yes, my goal is to stay in Supersport, because now it has become a challenge between me and this category. The goal will obviously not be to stay on a Kawasaki because I would like to try a bike that is more suitable for me, also because of my stature, like maybe a Ducati could be. However, this will depend on many things and as of today there are no big plans for next year, but we will see what the future holds for me."
As you mentioned earlier, last year your decision to turn down Puccetti's offer caused a lot of discussion. Did you ever wonder how it might have turned out if you had accepted?
"I am of the opinion that once you make a decision you should never look at the past. Given the way things are going, I could say,'If I had gotten on Puccetti's Kawasaki SBK maybe I wouldn't be in this situation now,' but once I made that choice for me it ended there. It certainly wasn't an easy decision, because you don't know if you're going to get another time in your life to finish a season in Superbike, but I had motivation at the time to do that. Maybe I would have been better off than I am now, I don't know, but I do know that the way I am, the criticism I received for this rejection was good for me, because it gave me a lot of strength in training and racing, helping me to use my head more and bring home the result."
So you took it as a stimulus rather than as an added pressure?
"Exactly. I cared about reconfirming myself in Italy and in the National Trophy 1000. Not only winning the championship, but also doing well in terms of times. I cared about confirming that I was a fast guy with a good head on my shoulders. The pressure of course was there, but that's our job-there is pressure at every race. So, I think these things should not bring you down, but motivate you."
