Just a few days after the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Fabio Di Giannantonio is getting ready to return to the track at the historic TT Circuit in Assen, home of the Dutch Grand Prix. It’s an event eagerly anticipated by the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider, who aims to build on the competitiveness he’s shown so far this season and return to the Dutch podium—a feat he hasn’t achieved since 2016. Before discussing the weekend ahead, however, Fabio addressed the most pressing current topics, starting with the announcement of Pedro Acosta’s signing with the Lenovo Ducati team.
“Those are matters for them, not me,” commented the Roman rider, who then tried to dodge all questions on the subject: “Would I like to be him and join the factory team? I like being Fabio Di Giannantonio; I really like who I am. Is the official Ducati team the best place for a rider? I believe my future will be in the best place. I like being Diggia right now.”
When asked how and what would change now that he can finally make his future official, the VR46 rider added: “As I’ve always said, in my opinion, we should really put all this aside for now, because I find it a bit disrespectful. Especially for the people who are working their butts off for us: while I’m here talking to reporters, there are 20–30 people in my garage who, since 7 a.m. this morning, have been doing everything they can and will continue until 11 p.m. tonight, for five days straight. That’s why I find it really disrespectful to talk about the future. It’s normal and obvious that we’ll have to talk about it sooner or later, but as far as I’m concerned, it should be put off much further.”
Although he didn’t participate in the test at Brno with the 850cc bikes fitted with Pirelli tyres, the Ducati rider has begun to get a sense of the era that will begin next season.
“I’ve heard a few things, but it was all very premature. After all, this was the first opportunity for the factory riders to test the new tyres. It was also nice to see the new bikes: I found a few spy photos, and this new chapter looks cool,” he said on the subject.
Among the topics of discussion this weekend was the elimination of the front lowerer.
“In a way, I expected it, because when people start talking about something, it usually happens. I gave my opinion; I said that for me, it was definitely better to have both devices, but maybe they didn’t see it that way. So, I’m fine with it if I was wrong. I respect this decision, which is the same for everyone, and I’ll try to do my best with this new setup,” said Fabio, eager to tackle this round at the “Cathedral of Speed.”
“It’s a great track; I love it. It’s one of the most historic circuits on our calendar,” he recalled. “It’s a fantastic track, and there’s no need to repeat what I think about this kind of track, because you already know. It’s a very fast, technical track where there have been many battles and where you can pass in lots of places. I really enjoy riding here. It’s a flat track, but there are a few banked turns here and there, and I find it a very fun track.”
His race results, however, don’t reflect his love for the Dutch track.
“I think my best result here is a second-place finish in Moto3. We’re working on it,” he noted with a laugh. “Looking back at last year as well, I think this weekend we should already have what we were missing. Actually, these are things we were missing at many tracks last year, and this year we’ve solved the problem—so to speak, even if it wasn’t really a problem—at every track where we’d encountered these shortcomings. I think we’ll be able to do a good job, especially since this is a track that suits my riding style and the bike’s characteristics. So, I’m not worried about not being fast enough.”
Among the areas the Roman rider is working on is undoubtedly the start: “In the Czech Republic, it was a matter of better managing the battle and my position going into the first corner, but I’m definitely working hard on the opening laps and trying to find a good rhythm right from the first two laps, so I can stay up front, and I’ll keep working on it.”
In recent races, Diggia had said he still needed to take another step forward before he could think about the World Championship. Could Assen be the right track to put all the pieces together?
“I think it would be foolish to set a deadline for myself at a specific track—to say, ‘If I do this here, then I can compete for the World Championship.’ The championship is long and isn’t a one-off race: you win when you do a good job all year long, in all conditions. This is another track where I want to give it my all. Obviously, it all comes down to the final standings, but it’s always been that way,” he replied. “The goal is to achieve something great, but you start with small steps: getting a good feel for the bike starting tomorrow morning; having a great pre-qualifying session to make it into Q2; have a strong qualifying session, and then maximize our performance in the race. That’s what I try to do every weekend.”
The Ducati rider seems very focused on his goal.
“If I’m the rider I am, and if I give that impression, it’s thanks to the amazing people I have in the garage. From my crew chief and my electronics specialist all the way down to the guys who handle the parts, I can assure you I’ve never had a team this professional and focused on the goal,” he commented. “Not a single person has ever given me the wrong advice before I hit the track since I’ve been with this team. So, with this team, I truly believe I’m in the best possible position to fight for the World Championship.”
Speaking instead about his expectations for this weekend, Di Giannantonio isn’t willing to rule out the Aprilia riders from the fight. They seemed to be struggling a bit in the Czech Republic.
“I think Aprilia will be in the mix. When you’re that fast, you’re always right there in the end,” he acknowledged. “I know they didn’t shine at Brno, but it was just a rough patch in the championship. They’ve been fast all year and have also shown everyone that they’re capable of turning things around when they get off to a bad start on a weekend. So I expect them to be in the mix.”