Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say, and Bagnaia can confirm that after today’s run. After being eliminated from Q2, Pecco seemed destined for another unfortunate qualifying but instead he will start from the front row tomorrow, along with the Yamahas of Vinales and Quartararo who have made the race at Assen these days.
“All in all, I was lucky to be in Q1 because in this session I found something that helped me in Q2.” commented the Ducati rider. But starting from here, thinking about fighting for victory tomorrow is still a long way off.
“I didn’t expect to fight so much this weekend – he confessed – The Desmosedici is difficult to handle in the fast corners as it moves a lot. After yesterday I did a reset this morning and started doing something different that allowed me to improve. In FP4 my pace wasn’t bad, but it was still 5 or 6 tenths slower than the Yamaha’s. I have to take another step forward and know that my team is already at work. “
Bagnaia always turns out to be one of the best, but he never seems to find the perfect weekend.
“Every time something is missing – he admitted – At the Sachsenring I had the pace to win or to get on the podium, but I started from position 10 and the tire didn’t work well on the first few laps, sometimes that happens. In Mugello I have Made a mistake while in Portimao the yellow flag in qualifying took away my chance to fight for victory. This time the story is different again. “
Because the Yamahas seem to be unbeatable …
“I’ll try to stop them on the first few laps, but it will be difficult to stay with them for the whole race.” – confirmed Pecco – I can overtake them at the end of the straight but here in Assen they will have a lot of chances to overtake them, it is not easy to keep up. I just have to make the best possible start and not let them take advantage of the extra grip of the new tires. Maybe I would have a small chance at the end of the race, but the pace remains incredible.