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The Dutch Sunday has a sweet taste for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who 5th place finish showed once again that he and Marquez are able to interpret and manage their GP23. The Roman rider scampered around in the upper part of the standings, fighting 'on equal terms' with Marc Marquez, who unexpectedly at one point gave way to him. The TT at Assen in fact was a race whose lower temperatures than yesterday put a lot of strain on the front tyre pressure, a factor that the Roman rider instead managed by opting for caution. A choice, however, that cost him the chance to break away from the group that was chasing after the impregnable Bagnaia and Martin, but which perhaps would have earned him the third step of the podium.
A positive performance overall, then, testifying that the VR46 rider knows how to assert himself in the fray, and that given the latest shifts in the rider market, can be a valuable contribution to Ducati's future. In fact, it is no mystery that Yamaha has its eye on the Roman rider, having recently acquired the services of the Pramac team, and is looking for outstanding riders for the two new seats at its disposal.
"I'm really happy," Fabio Di Giannantonio began , "racing like this is priceless. We worked so hard and today we fought for the podium and to be the best GP23. It was a good fight, it is always better to win it is clear, too bad when at one point I had to reduce the speed because the front temperature had dropped and I was starting to feel problems with the bike closing up on me. When something like that happens in Assen you have to be careful and so they overtook me. Anyway, it was a good fight, we are giving as much as we can with this bike, and I feel I am improving as a rider. There was also a contact with Marc in turn 6 and that was the end of my race because I tried to push again to recover but by then I had lost ground. Overall though, I'm really happy, we were really fast today and I have to be proud for myself and for the guys in the box."
Until when did you believe in the podium?
"Until I started to feel the front end closing up in the fast section, the wind cools the tyre easily. I wanted to push and beat the rest of the group on the race pace because once I got some gap I could have made fewer mistakes. In the end though I opted for caution, I think it was the right choice, there was a risk that I wouldn't make it to the end."
It seems that you and Marc are the only riders to take full advantage of the GP23, what in your riding style is helping you interpret this bike and these new Michelin tires?
"I've always been the kind of rider who can bring a lot of speed into corner entry, and this bike already does that on its own, which doesn't help though because it tends to want to follow its line and push you out. In my case with my riding style I can impose my speed in corner entry, although I admit that sometimes I wish I could lean the bike better in the corners, it's a peculiarity of this bike, but I still manage to exploit it to be able to fight in the race."
You mentioned the problem of pressure at the front. A matter of grip or a caution for penalties?
"A matter of grip, here in Assen the corners are very fast, if they were slow corners you would have time to react, but here with cold tires if you lose the front you just lose it, so you have to be very careful. Today one of the keys to the race was using the hard compound."
Is that the reason why maybe Marc let you pass?
"I'm not sure about Marc's motivations, but it's possible. It certainly surprised me, it's the first time it's happened to me."
Martin, on the other hand, opted for the medium.
"I would have liked to use it too, but I knew I would struggle in the group and in those cases it is better to have a tire to be able to attack than to go faster. Instead, I think Martin knew he would be in front and wanted to try something different."
Next stop is Sachsenring, a different circuit with slow corners.
"I'm not worried but let's see, this bike also has a lot of grip on the rear so I think I can do well, maybe adjusting the bike setup a little bit. Honestly this year I feel competitive on every circuit. I finally realized that to be consistent it's not just the rider that matters but the work you do with the team, and now we are working really well. I think we are a very strong package so I don't have any big worries now."
Have you had a chance to observe the Yamahas? They have difficulty in what you said was your strength. It used to be theirs but not anymore.
"Honestly no, I am 100 percent focused on my performance on the track. Last year was difficult for me, I can't afford to lose even a thousandth of a second to think about anything else. I'm trying to enjoy every moment I spend on the track on this bike to the fullest, giving 100 percent."
Races like this make you think about maybe accepting other offers?
"I am improving in all aspects as a rider, and races like this give me even more push to want to improve, I would like to be able to fight with Enea, Martin and Pecco. My goal is still the same as always, to win more and more races and then the title. I am now on a path that I hope will lead me to that."
It seems that instead of the Kazakhstan round it will be back to Qatar again.
"That's great news! - smiled the Italian, thinking back to his first win last year - I think the track is fantastic and it would be an opportunity to make up for not being able to do a great job on that track this season."
We saw you with Collin Veijer, what did you think of his race today here in Holland?
"It was incredible, he is maturing a lot. I've always said he's one of the guys in Moto 3 who has a bright future ahead of him. I waved to him today and congratulated him on the podium."
