The pre-event press conference opens the Italian GP with riders talking about the incredible place, season so far and the future
Before the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was won over by Italian legend Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), 2017 race winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Alma in the pre-event press conference. accompanied by Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller from Pramac Racing and the leader of the Moto2 ™ World Championship Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia talk about the upcoming weekend, the season so far and a debriefing of the last points from Le Mans before it competes against the great Mugello.
But first there was another event on Thursday morning as Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Lorenzo Baldassari (Pons HP40), Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP), Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP), Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team), Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team), Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing), Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) took part in a Giro di Scarperia – one lap on the route before cycling to the impressive Palazzo dei Vicari and then back to the route.
Back on track and back on track for the weekend, Marquez was the first to speak at the press conference later that day. With a mixed record at Mugello, it’s not a talisman for the number 93 – but during the season he has conquered a few places where he already has a similar record. “Mugello is a really nice track, one of the toughest on the calendar and in the past, where I didn’t get my best results, but we had a test here a few weeks ago and it wasn’t bad. But now the temperatures are warmer and everything has changed, so we have to drive just like in the last few races. “
When asked if the Honda he drives now is the best he has ever had in the premier class, Marquez says it’s not quite like 2014 – and a lot is down to his competitors.
“That has to do with the performance of our opponents. I feel good on my bike now, but in 2014 I felt better, in 2014 it was easier to ride. Now there are different tires and electronics, everything is different, and when your opponents perform better, you have more problems with the bike. But now it looks like we can be fast in all conditions, a bit like the second half of last season, this year it looks like we’ve started well and on tracks where we normally struggle , we were able to be at the top or on the podium and that’s the most important thing in the season. “
As always, consistency is important. That goes for everyone, but Valentino Rossi is certainly one of those more looking for a more difficult start to the season for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team. But the number 46 took his second podium of the year in France and Mugello is very special – a home pitch where the spectators breathe yellow and a place where he has won seven times.
“Mugello is a special weekend for me and for all Italian riders, the historic GP of Italy for MotoGP,” confirms the ‘Doctor’. “The track is fantastic, one of the best, and the atmosphere, especially on Sunday, is very special. I’m doing better than last year because I was injured in motocross last year, but then it was a pretty good race. So we have to check this year! It was a good podium at Le Mans, but it’s always a good track for the Yamaha and we have to understand our potential here. “
To understand this, there was also a private test at the venue recently, in which the majority of the field took part – but interrupted by the weather. For Rossi, it’s about starting and continuing at Le Mans.
“The test here wasn’t that great for me because I wasn’t very fast,” he admits, “but the conditions weren’t great and we only made it in the morning. But we haven’t changed much and will start with a similar base from Le Mans, trying to find the feel and improve – it’s a different track with a lot of changes of direction so you need a different feel with the bike. ”
However, Danilo Petrucci believes he might be a little behind initially after not being tested on site. But, like Rossi, ‘Petrux’ is happy to be at home – and is aiming high again after his last podium in Le Mans and his podium form in Mugello 2017.
“Being here is always something special,” begins the Italian. “There are simply more Italian journalists! It’s one of my favorite tracks and after Le Mans we are positively received, but we have to do things simply – the things we did in every race, be precise with the details and work on the bike. Today we had an important meeting and decided everything about the bike, we work a lot and coming here after a podium is something special. After last year and two weeks ago, I know that my goal is to be on the podium, but it sure won’t be easy. We weren’t here to test, so let’s take a step back, but we’ll try to recover as soon as possible. “
The number 9 was also asked about his teammate Jack Miller and the competition between the two with an eye to the next season and a possible move to the Ducati team, as there are rumors.
“Jack is very fast and he has proven that in all races so far,” says Petrucci. “But in MotoGP every race is important, there is no race that is easier than the other and I always want to be as fast as possible. Sometimes it happens, but sometimes it is more difficult. I have to stand in front of as many people as possible, I don’t care to stand in front of one or the other driver – I just try to be faster than everyone else … unfortunately it’s not always possible! “
Miller was appropriately next to the microphone – and spoke more of consistency after having achieved eight top ten positions in a row at Le Mans.
“I feel pretty good and such a constant run is a whole new feeling for me – I’ve been known for inconsistencies in the past and I loved to fall,” laughed the Australian. “But since I got on the Ducati, I’ve found a new form and a new consistency and that shows with some decent races. In Jerez we were lucky with the clutter between Dani, Dovi and Jorge, but at Le Mans it was good to fight and to be close to the group for the podium. We missed that a bit, but to race with these guys and be close to them for the whole race, I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot more experience, so I’ll try to keep the momentum we’ve had in the last couple of GPs, bring into play this weekend. It’s a track that I haven’t been the best on in the past. I had a pole, but then I retired this year, but I’ve had problems on the Honda ever since. It will be interesting, this bike won here last year, so it sure is not slow here and we have to try to do our best! “
Miller continued to talk about driving at the top and about experiences, also asked about the rumors about his future: “The more I can drive with them up front and they study and learn, the better. In the past I have stormed a lot and missed valuable experiences, so I feel like I am learning and maturing more and more and enjoying it more and more. I finish the race with a smile on my face, especially when you are at the top you get hungrier every week. It’s all well and good to be at least within the framework of a works position, because two years ago I couldn’t have imagined that. It’s an amazing turnaround and I’m enjoying it, and it comes from hard work so I have to keep pushing and keep trying. “
Drift on and keep trying could be a mantra from Andrea Dovizioso after some bad luck lately. However, ‘DesmoDovi’, who rallied in the three-driver incident at Jerez and then lost the lead at Le Mans, had some big advantages that point to a turn around the corner – on the track where he won his first win 2017 season.
“I hope the situation changes,” smiled the Italian. “We came here with a different situation than last year for many reasons. Unfortunately we’re quite a long way from Marc this year, but I think we’ve been more competitive in the last two races than in the past. Unfortunately we got zero points, but we showed good speed and that’s important if you want to fight for the championship. We know we have to start collecting some points and that is not easy because the level is really high and also in the test here a few weeks ago a lot of riders were fast, but I feel safe on the bike, that is good track for us and i think we can be competitive. But every weekend it’s a different story! Let’s see, tomorrow, when you put the wheels on the ground, you can understand whether you are really fast and can fight for the podium or the victory. “
Dovizioso explains his mistake at Le Mans and says it was just that – a simple but costly mistake. “It was clear to me what had happened, I was too relaxed because my speed was really good. I overtook Jorge because I wanted to be in front because Zarco was very aggressive. He had the speed and was maybe too excited to be in his home race! I put myself in the best position, but made a mistake in the braking point, I didn’t pay attention to the weight in the front and it was too much for grip. It was a very small but serious mistake. “
Finally, it was time for ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia to make its press conference debut. Before his debut in the premier class in 2019, the championship leader of the intermediate class was happy to be there – and wants to get used to it even more …
“I’m nervous, excited, but above all happy to be here for the first time. Since the February test, we’ve got off to a good start, we’ve been heading in a good direction and from Qatar we knew it was possible to be fast this year and the win at Texas and Le Mans confirmed that feeling. In Jerez it was difficult to be fast like Austin or Le Mans, but in a difficult Grand Prix it was good to finish third. Certainly to be here with drivers who will be my competitors next year, it’s hard to say much … next year I’ll be with the fastest drivers in the world, with Valentino who has been my hero since I was young … That’s incredible. It’s the first time that I’m at the press conference and next year I hope to be here a few more times! “
With so much talk about the future lately, it’s easy to forget that we’re only at the sixth Grand Prix of the season – and what a Grand Prix it is. Mugello, home to one of the world’s most passionate spectators and some of the best races we’ve ever seen. This year it will certainly not be any different when the lights go out on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT +2) – so switch on!