After finishing second in the San Marino GP, Francesco Bagnaia will have the chance this weekend to make up for it in front of his home crowd, as he aims to return to the top step of the podium in the Emilia-Romagna GP.
This is a special appointment for Pecco and Ducati, not only because it's the second race of the year on the Riviera Romagnola track, but also because it represents the Piedmontese rider's100th race on the Desmosedici GP in the MotoGP. In Sunday's GP, the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer will also get the chance to achieve its 100th success in the premier class of the MotoGP, while also playing its first match point to win its 5th consecutive constructors title and 6th in the MotoGP.
Many reasons to be even more excited for this first round of the triptych that could take the riders to Japan, after having passed through Indonesia, and to which Bagnaia arrives in second place, just 7 lengths behind the leader, Jorge Martin.
"We're going back to race in Misano for the second time this year but, compared to two weeks ago, the conditions will be quite different. The temperatures will be lower, and we're also going after a day of testing. Compared to Misano 1, my physical conditions are better, so we'll start with an extra advantage compared to last time," Pecco explained. "The Emilia-Romagna GP will also be the first appointment of a triple. From here on, the season will take on a faster pace, and the finale is approaching, so doing well is going to be even more important at this stage of the championship."
Enea Bastianini will also try to confirm himself among the great role players of the weekend. He's fourth in the championship and back from the podium in the last GP of San Marino.
"Racing on one's home circuit is always something special, and we're lucky enough this year to be back there for the second time," the rider from Rimini said. "Compared to the GP two weeks ago, this weekend we'll have lower temperatures this weekend, so the track conditions will also be a bit different. In the post-race test, we managed to find a solution that allowed me to be fast even with the medium rear tire, which is what we lacked in Misano 1, in order to be able to try and fight for the win. Let's see how this weekend will go but, in general, I'm positive."