The intense atmosphere in the premier class paddock eased slightly after Pecco Bagnaia delivered an impressive performance on the opening day of track action at the Lusail International Circuit. The Italian rider successfully secured fourth position in a crucial practice session, closing the gap to the benchmark time set by pace-setter Fabio Di Giannantonio. This result brings a much-needed breath of fresh air for the world champion following a string of race weekends plagued by heavy mental pressure and technical hurdles.
Throughout the practice sessions, the two-time MotoGP world champion immediately displayed promising speed. Unlike previous rounds where he frequently struggled to find optimal rear traction, the characteristics of the Qatari circuit reminded him of his strong form earlier in the season at Brno. The high level of grip provided crucial rear support, allowing him to push harder without fearing unexpected slides.
Speaking to media outlets after stepping off his machine, the factory Ducati star made no secret of his relief and newfound enthusiasm. He acknowledged that this competitive step forward was somewhat expected given the circuit layout's similarity to tracks that historically favor his riding style, granting him the rear stability he has sorely missed.
“I am very happy, we worked extremely well throughout the day. To be honest, I expected to be strong on this track because it is similar to Brno in terms of asphalt, grip, and layout. There is a lot of grip and that allows me to have more support at the rear,” Bagnaia explained to Sky Italia.
The Italian rider further emphasized how vital this psychological boost is for his standing as a factory rider. Enduring difficult weekends while riding top-tier machinery takes a heavy toll on a rider's confidence, making Friday's breakthrough feel all the more rewarding as he aims to repay the garage crew for their tireless efforts.
“I enjoyed it a lot, lap after lap I pushed harder and in the afternoon I was able to push right from the start which is something I haven't been able to do for a very long time. I haven't felt this good since Brno, I just want to have fun and go fast. Being in a factory team and struggling as much as we did in recent GPs is tough, finally I truly feel like a factory rider and I want to enjoy it, exploiting this potential to give something back to my team,” he concluded.
Baca Juga
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