Pecco Bagnaia had not worn the gold medal given to the Sprint winner for 315 days, since last year's Barcelona Grand Prix. Today, at Motegi, he experienced that emotion again, just hours after celebrating pole position. If a response was needed after a difficult period, to say the least, it came loud and clear."It's a day to remember, for the pole position but mostly because I got the win in a Sprint after an extremely difficult season and period. I can't ask for more than that," was the first comment from the Italian rider, who this time did not have to talk about his own problems.
How do you feel?
"It is a great relief. I had moments like this in the past, but after winning two titles and finishing always in the top two and fighting for wins in the last four years, living this last period was one of the hardest moments. Being able to push, to control, to do what I did during this weekend, is a big relief not just for the result, but also for myself. I always believed, I always said to the journalists, that if I ever feel good on my bike I will be able to fight again for the top result."
How were you able to turn over a new leaf so sharply?
"Being able to understand and adapt more and more to this bike, which I have been riding since the Misano tests. Today I found something more, but above all a balance in the Sprint that allowed me to push so much in the first laps and then to keep a constant gap. It wasn't easy because the rear tyre really wore out, maybe because at the beginning I pushed harder than I had thought. It all went smoothly in the end, though."
Were the Misano tests the key to that?
"What we did in Misano helped me a lot to feel good again on braking, on corner entry, and controlling the bike. I was talking about it with the team, before those tests I was pushing the same and not knowing if I was one tenth faster or one tenth slower. Today, when I decided to do the pole lap, I did the pole lap. So this is what I was able to do in the past, it was something I was starting to forget because I had never had this kind of chance this season, apart from Brno, but honestly I don't know how I did the pole in Brno. It's great knowing where to push, it's always good because you know where to control. Today I did the Sprint in control: I pushed in the first laps, I opened the gap and then I was controlling. So this is great for me for the team and for the mood of the team also, the only shame is that we just needed 16 races, better late than never (laughs)."
How much has your bike changed?
"Honestly, I don't really know but the difference is huge. We didn't go back to the GP24, but we changed some parts that didn't work in other situations, but here and in Misano they worked. These are parts that Marc has as well. In the Misano test I lapped seven tenths faster."
Is the Pecco of 2024 back?
"More than the Pecco of last year, I would say that when I feel good on the bike I ride like this. It's nice, so far it's been a great weekend and we have to continue like this."
Have you still not completely taken the weight off your shoulders?
"I'm still very cautious, this is a day to remember but the most important race is tomorrow. We have to remain calm."
Will Indonesia be the decisive test?
"We'll see. I've always struggled a bit at Mandalika, it's not one of my best circuits, but if I will be able to fight again for the top positions it's great because it means that we are back to our position."
Yesterday it was announced that you will be one of the torchbearers for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
"I'm happy to do it, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm honored."