Fabio di Giannantonio’s Qatar MotoGP could have ended and not using a level, however the VR46 Ducati rider insists he had the tempo to problem for the rostrum – if no more – earlier than “occasions” intervened.
After being compelled to the again of the sector on account of high-speed contact with Alex Marquez, Diggia then did his greatest to take evasive motion when Jorge Martin crashed instantly in entrance of him mid-race.
Though Martin’s situation was preying on his thoughts, the Italian gave a glimpse of what may need been by lapping sooner than all however race winner Marc Marquez within the closing laps.
“I believe on the finish of the race, if you happen to see the lap instances, our tempo was a podium tempo,” he stated. “In order that was the aim. Then a number of occasions destroyed our plans.”
As a substitute, he was left and not using a single level after crossing the road in sixteenth place.
“Actually, I knew that I had this sort of tempo,” he continued. “We labored so nicely with the crew to organize this race… The aim was to battle with Marc.
“In Italian we are saying, ‘with ifs and buts, we don’t go anyplace’, however it’s true our tempo was actually sturdy.”
Regardless of the frustration, Diggia stays fifth on the earth championship, with a podium at COTA.
Nevertheless, his Qatar non-score leaves him 30 factors behind in-form VR46 team-mate Franco Morbidelli, who secured a double rostrum in Lusail.
di Giannantonio insists the inner rivalry is motivating.
“It helps lots to have a powerful team-mate,” di Giannantonio stated. “You’ll be able to research lots from [the other side of the garage]… you’ll be able to be taught some secrets and techniques. And for positive he can do the identical from me, after I go just a little sooner.
“On monitor, whoever is your rival is the rider to beat. So for me, it doesn’t change a lot.”
Each VR46 riders are aiming excessive at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, the place the crew scored its solely podium of 2024 with Marco Bezzecchi.
di Giannantonio is a former Moto2 winner on the Andalusian circuit and completed seventh there final season.
“Jerez is a really tiny monitor in comparison with the 4 earlier ones,” he stated. “It’s very technical, and we’ll be capable to perceive if the setup we tried within the final races will be constructive.
“Will probably be a great weekend. I anticipate to see many European followers – they may convey numerous power. It’s essential to proceed having the pace we confirmed within the earlier weekends.
“I’m positive we will battle once more for the highest positions.”
Straight after the race weekend, di Giannantonio is predicted to hitch fellow GP25 riders Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia in evaluating new growth components on the Monday take a look at.
