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It's a conscious Pecco Bagnaia the one who presents himself to reporters at the end of a Saturday made complicated by his own doing. The mistake at the second exit in qualifying weighs like a boulder on the shoulders of the Italian rider, who was forced to a start from the eleventh grid slot. A setback that hurts after the injection of positivity given by the victory in Austin. Pecco does not hide it and admits his responsibilities in qualifying, haste being the main culprit, but as he later argues with journalists "if you don't try in this moment in the end you never try".
In the sprint Bagnaia nevertheless tries to claw back something as he has done in the past, on the first lap he takes eighth place but beyond that he doesn't go, fighting more to maintain the position than to chase a Marc Marquez who moves back into the lead of the overall standings. The page is turned then, eyes already on Sunday, and over the long distance the outcome could be different. The pace moreover is there, and in Qatar history, as Marc has also claimed since the beginning of the weekend, plays in his favor.
"It's a pity today in general because this morning I felt good right away - Bagnaia declared - even with a used tire I was able to have very good sensations and I was happy. In qualifying unfortunately in the first attempt I didn't find the same feeling. With the second tire, on the other hand, from the beginning I felt better, in the first sector I had already gained a tenth and a half, but unfortunately I entered a little bit harder turn four and lost the front after losing the rear and ended up on the ground. It was my mistake, because on the first attempt I hadn't been able to conclude a good lap, maybe I should have taken it more slowly by taking it further. But if you don't try in this moment in the end you never try...I made a mistake."
Given the qualifying, the race was uphill.
"In the race unfortunately we have been doing sprints for three years and when we start behind in the sprints we can't make overtakes. I can't get as close and aggressive under braking as I would like, so I lose a lot of time. Today it was like that, I expected more, that I would be more incisive but I couldn't and I just lost time behind in different situations. When I finally found myself on my own I started to climb up but with difficulty. It's a shame because the pace to be able to fight was there, in my opinion the podium was within reach even starting 11th, but I didn't take advantage of the package I had. Tomorrow I already know the situation will be different, as it always is in long races, where I can be more aggressive under braking and fast."
There had been talk in the past about trying a different fuel tank for the sprints.
"It is something we are trying to find solutions on. Probably the type of tank will have to be changed but it's something that only I have to work on, the others don't have the same feeling and are able to exploit the rest in the best way while I if I don't start in the front I'm more in trouble. In my case it changes the braking balance, which is the aspect on which I build my performance, the front tends to close and so it limits me a lot."
Was there any technical problem?
"I can't talk about that," the Ducati rider answers cryptically.
After a Saturday like this, is there more frustration or desire to move on?
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow honestly. We know how important it is to get points, we got two but it could have been another zero. More than that could not be done, last year I lost a world championship by ten points, so every point counts. We must not lose points like this against a rider like Marquez who we know how competitive he is. We have to be more on the ball, be more careful, I will make a step on this for sure. I'm looking forward to tomorrow because I know the potential to fight for the win is there, we just have to be able to take better advantage of the first few laps."
A mistake in qualifying is now worth double, by giving gifts to Marquez you complicate your life.
"Yes but there are things I can't keep up with, the crash and qualifying definitely do, but as for the sprint I can't do anything about it."
Some people think you are under pressure in the challenge with Marc.
"Fortunately, I don't listen to everything they say about me. I know that sometimes people also say things without really thinking them, maybe former riders or former engineers who are starting to feel forgotten, who say things but don't really think them," Pecco comments without naming names "I don't listen to these things, but in a way I like to hear them. The pressure is always there, no matter what, because when you are fast people will talk about you, good or bad. If people are talking about me it means I'm doing a good job, and I will keep working to be more and more competitive. Pressure is something I would like to have on my side throughout my career."
After two years of always being at the top of the competitive game, when things go the wrong way can you still be realistic and not get caught up in disappointment?
"Today I was realistic after qualifying. I knew that by starting 11th in the sprint I would have a hard time gaining many positions. I tried and passed 3-4 riders, but then I got stuck and was in danger of losing the front. It was difficult, but I learned last year that it is more important to get points than to crash. Of course the disappointment is there, I could have aimed for the 12 points and only got two, but it's better than zero."
