At the Italian round in Misano, we caught up with 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini. We got a chance to talk about the championship, Marc Marquez's domination, Bagnaia's difficulties, and what he could do to resolve them. These were accompanied by an unfailing anecdote with a dive into the past and the history of the sport.
With such a dominant Marquez, your dominance also came to mind. We asked him if he'd like to skip races.
"No, actually, I wouldn't skip them," Agostini said. "First of all, because I liked racing. I wanted to race! I would've felt bad skipping them. But, once or twice, Count Agusta made me skip them, and I felt bad about that."
What changes when you're sure you have the title in hand but still have races left to face?
"By winning so much, you have a responsibility to your public, which comes to see you, because you give them the joy of winning. When you don't give it to them, they're disappointed so, if you don't participate in a race, it's like you've lost it, regardless of whether you're world champion or not, you've lost it. So it's not a pleasant thing for a rider. The race, if you can, you want to win it."
Did you expect such a dominated championship, with few challenges?
"Marc, we know him, we know what he's done in the past. He's a great champion and has fought with great riders in the past. Then, unfortunately, there was the injury, and he had to stop. He had the determination to come back, and I thought heìd be fast, but I also thought he'd have more difficulty in some races. I thought Bagnaia would give more of a fight and more of a show for our sport, but he didn't. But there are Bezzecchi, Morbidelli, and Di Giannantonio who are doing very well, but Marquez has something more."
What happened to Bagnaia? Does the psychological condition matter so much?
"I don't know. The head is the most important thing, whether it's business or sports, in life, in general. He found a Marquez who's furious this year. He lost his determination, a determination that I hope he finds again, because it would be good for our sport to see him fighting for first place. We all hope it's a passing moment."
What advice would you give him?
"There's no advice. He's smart. He has to figure out how to fix things. From the times in practice, here in Misano, I thought he'd be back. But, instead, something didn't work in the race. I don't know if it was his bike or his head."
Besides being world champion fifteen times, you've also been a successful manager ... Kenny Roberts, Lawson, Cadalora. If you had to give advice today on any young riders?
"I like this world but, when I come, I don't think about it. I see great results from young guys, but I wouldn't know how to give advice specifically."
This year, Marc joined Ducati, putting Bagnaia in trouble but, when you went to challenge Kenny Roberts at his home in '74, were you somewhat scared?
"It wasn't easy. It was the first time for me in the United States, the first time with Yamaha, the first time with a two-stroke engine and on an elevated track. I knew it was going to be tough, but I trusted my abilities, trying to fight for the win or the podium. I got took off well, head down. Roberts began the weekend by saying that America was the world, not Europe and, being the American champion, he was the world champion. I was disappointed but, since I was a guest, I didn't reply. I did it with a win and, I remember that, when I met him, he came and said 'Ago, you're not human'."