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Thailand will have a special flavor for Fabio Di Giannantonio, however it goes, because it will be his last track appearance of the year before his long-awaited shoulder surgery. It is a decision for which the Roman rider will sacrifice the next two rounds in Malaysia and Valencia in order to arrive in optimal condition in 2025, the year in which he will ride a "last model" Ducati GP. It is therefore understandable on the one hand the frustration of a rider who only a few days ago finished one step away from the podium in Australia, behind "the real ones" as he joked in the past.
A performance that reflects the growth this season of the VR46 team rider, who has been able to interpret his GP23 at its best this year, riding above the difficulties that have instead held back his brand mates. Great then is the desire to "conclude the games" with a worthy performance, to say farewell to the 2024 championship with the smile of someone who has seen his value recognized, when only a year ago his future still appeared nebulous and uncertain.
"The Phillip Island weekend was fantastic," Fabio began, "It was good to return to the levels of competitiveness we had shown before the crash. On the one hand, however, there is also a bit of sadness because it has never happened to me in my career to have to end a season early or skip several races. It's a strange feeling then, which spurs me to give even more of my best in this last weekend in Thailand. I know why we're making this decision, we're doing it to get to the best we can next year. So I want to give my best for me and for the team to end the season on a positive note, finishing with a podium would be great, also because last year I came close."
There has been a lot of talk about who will take your place in the last races, Iannone's name has been mentioned, who would you like to see on your GP23?
"As always in these situations there are always many rumors, but at the moment I don't know anything yet. The team promised me that I would be the first person to know, but I still don't know who it will be. I don't know who could take my place, honestly from a rider's perspective it's always difficult to see someone else on your bike, which is like your own child and you wouldn't want it in anyone else's hands. However, it's clear that I also understand the need for the team and sponsors to see the bike on the track."
Next year Buriram will host the first race of the 2025 season, do you think this is a good choice?
"I don't know, I think the tests at the beginning of the season will be decisive, and testing on a great circuit like this I think is an optimal solution. Besides, the best tests are precisely those in difficult conditions, so I'm curious to see what will happen. For me specifically it will be an important date, because after the surgery I will have to try to start the next season in the best possible way."
Now what's next for you in the coming days? Will you watch the races or would you rather not see your GP23 in someone else's hands?
"Next Saturday I will undergo shoulder surgery, so until then I will enjoy the "time off," although I would have preferred to race. Part of me would rather not watch anything, but I already know that I will force my girlfriend to follow every single session in every category. It will be another weekend where I will follow motorsport like in the past, let's say," the Roman jokingly concluded.
