Valencia test: Bagnaia, “The MotoGP is impressive”

Ducati MotoGP Team Aspar Test Valencia – Francesco Bagnaia had made a bet with Gino Borsoi, Sports Director of Team Aspar, with two victories with Mahindra in the Moto3 class, he would try the Ducati MotoGP. “Pecco” won at Assen and Valencia and the promise was kept. This morning he had the opportunity to test the Ducati (9 laps completed) and was impressed not only by the power but also by the braking system. The word is up to him.

“It was a crazy experience. I thought MotoGP was strong, but not like this! Riding the MotoGP is impressive. With the Moto3 between one corner and another you have the possibility to open the throttle, get into the fairing and brake again, with the MotoGP everything is super-fast. Braking is also completely different, much less pressure on the lever is needed. I thank Ducati, Team Aspar and the sponsors for giving me this opportunity.”

While you were on the track you "crossed paths" with Marquez.

“I saw Marquez and I said to myself, now I'll pass him and act a bit 'cool' but instead I went wide.”

A Ducati with the #21, this hasn't happened since the days of Troy Bayliss.

“Exactly, first there was Paolo Ciabatti (Ducati Sports Director) who took the photo and sent it to Troy, who among other things raced and won with the MotoGP here.”

What did you feel when you opened the throttle for the first time?

“I wanted to open it immediately to understand what it was like. When the couple enters you don't check anything, I was at flag! I would have liked to do more laps, now I make another bet with Gino (Borsoi, ed.), I tell him that if I beat him with scissors and stone I'll do another 9 laps (laughs, ed.). For now that's fine, otherwise when I get on the Moto2 it will seem stopped."

Had you asked any MotoGP rider for advice before getting on the bike?

“I asked Valentino before leaving, I kept him there for 45 minutes, I had him explain everything to me. It helped a lot, especially for the brakes. It's very strange to arrive at braking and not use the clutch.”

Now that you've tried it, there's the MotoGP dream,

“Now yes, in fact I hope to move quickly with Moto2 (laughs, ed.). In reality you have to take your time. I did 9 laps and I don't know how much Alex Marquez had lapped with the Honda, I hope I gave him his pay."