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Bagnaia won the Assen race and… a lunch, the outcome of a bet between him and Bezzecchi. “It will be a very expensive lunch” Pecco was keen to point out. They will have time to get organized with a 5-week hiatus before the next GP at Silverstone, a long break that the world champion will be able to enjoy as leader of the standings, with a 35-point lead over Martin.
In the Netherlands, the Ducati rider conquered his 15th success in the premier class, becoming, jointly with Dovizioso, the 3rd most successful Italian rider. Agostini is ahead with 68 points and Valentino with 89 points. "Having said that, I'm a long way behind, so there's still a lot to work to do - laughs Pecco - I'm taking no notice right now, there will be time for that".
This start to the season has been very different from that of 2022. How have you changed?
“I have improved in general. Last season we got off to a bad start because the bike wasn't at the level it showed later, and I made several mistakes. I made some mistakes again this year, the sprint races helped me stay ahead in the standings. You always improve, I did it and the team did it”.
Is your best weapon speed or continuity?
"In my opinion, it's awareness, even if it's hard to say."
What kind of awareness do you take home from Assen?
"To be strong, we worked well, and we go on vacation with a balance that is certainly positive".
What sort of race was it?
"Very hard. At first, I was a bit scared of my pace because it was slow, but I realized that we were all in the same situation. It was too hot to push as we wanted; the tires were at their limit. When I got about a second ahead, I started to check because I was at the limit in the right-hand corners, it was difficult to carry cornering speed ".
At the beginning of the race, you had to deal with Binder.
“I tried to pass him quickly so as not to increase the temperature and pressure of the front tyre, even the hard tyre was too soft for these conditions. But then Bezzecchi also passed him and tried to recover, when on the last lap I saw I had a lead of 9 tenths, I became calmer".
Did you fear a battle against Marco?
“Yesterday he caught me and got away, I was a bit worried. But I knew that today he too would have difficulty for the tyres. This morning in the warmup I found something that helped me”.
Recovering from difficult situations seems to have become your trademark.
“My team and I know each other and work well together, we know where to go when we find ourselves in difficulty. We are strong in this; it is not the first time this has happened. Thinking about the race from the beginning of the weekend helps, even if sometimes the sprint race is more complicated because I need more time. We are getting a better understanding of the new bike and we understood that a compromise must always be found".
You have 35 points on Martin, is it time to think about the championship?
“It is too early, there is still a long way to go”.
What are your vacation plans?
“We deserved a break, and it will be important to work for the second part of the championship. I won't go away, I'm lucky to live by the sea".
