Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer are still dealing with the aftermath of their injuries, but Michele Masini is in the Gresini Racing pit at the Misano WDW, and we exchanged a few words with him about the present and the future.
While one chapter is closing with Alex's and Fermin's absences, a new chapter is beginning with the Joan Mir and Daniel Holgado duo.
We spoke with Masini about this and much more.
“It’s always wonderful to be here in Misano for the WDW,” he began. “There are so many fans who come to see us, and that really makes us happy. Unfortunately, Fermin won’t be at the event, and, in the days to come, we’ll provide more information on his recovery. Alex, on the other hand, will arrive tomorrow evening for the on-stage celebration, because it was very important to him to be there. We’re eagerly awaiting his arrival, then we’ll be ready to get back on the track right away.”
How has this season been going for you?
“It’s been an extremely difficult season. Up until Assen, we’ve practically always had to deal with at least one of our two riders not being in peak physical condition. We’ve never managed to have both riders in top form at the same time. We hope we’ve put this period behind us and can turn the page. That said, we’ve always been competitive, having won a Grand Prix, secured podium finishes with both riders, and earned several front-row starts. That’s what gives me some peace of mind. But I can’t wait to see both riders back in the pit together and in top form.”
On Thursday, you announced the new 2027 rider line-up. Mir and Holgado. What are your expectations?
“I’m truly proud of this new project. It's going to be a completely new challenge, not only in terms of the riders but also from a technical standpoint, given the rule changes, the new bikes, and the new Pirelli tires. We’ve put together a very well-rounded team. On one hand, we have a highly experienced rider, whom we’ll work with to help him rediscover his best form and the joy of racing at the highest level. On the other hand, we have a young, up-and-coming talent like Daniel Holgado, whom we believe is the right rider at the right time. With the new regulations, the bikes will be lighter, more maneuverable, and will have a different character, thanks to the Pirelli tires. We’ve already been able to observe some aspects during recent tests, and it'll be interesting to see how the overall picture evolves. Obviously, we still have a lot of work to do this season, but we’re also very confident about the future.”
As we all know, the Moto2 riders are already racing on Pirelli tires. Do you think this will help them?
“It’s certainly one of the factors we’ve taken into account in our assessments. However, we’ll need to see to what extent the Pirelli tires used in the MotoGP will retain the same DNA as those currently used in the Moto2 and Superbike. In any case, these will be new tires for everyone. Riders, technicians, and engineers will all have to get to know them. That's why I believe the first tests of next season will be crucial. We’ll need to arrive as prepared as possible to tackle the first Grand Prix races at our best.”