Before the Italian GP almost no one had noticed Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing Moto3). The Italian rookie had a best finish of 17th place in Le Mans and was finding his first year in the World Championship pretty tough. But in front of his home crowd Di Giannantonio exploded onto the scene and took a sensational second place. He was back in the top ten at the next round in Barcelona. In Assen he showed just how big a part confidence can play in racing as he again battled for the lead of a Moto3™ World Championship race, just one solid result can completely change a rider’s season.
Di Giannantonio crossed the line third in Assen but a penalty for Andrea Migno (SKY Racing Team VR46) saw him promoted a position. Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) might be leading the Rookie of the Year standings, but Di Giannantonio is the only rookie to visit the podium more than once.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “At the beginning of the race I was determined to catch the leading group and after a few laps I did it; later, however, there have been some contacts with other riders, including Binder, who passed me under braking on the first corner, touching me and forcing me to go wide. I had to push hard to recover and so I made a few mistakes, so in the end I tried to stay more focused, setting my pace, and when I saw that I could close the gap with the front group I started to think that the podium was possible.
"On the last lap I attacked right away, making two passes, then I took the final fast corner on the outside in order to stay on the inside under braking for the last chicane: that was a good move because I managed to pass Fenati, claiming the third place that later became the second due to Migno’s penalty. It was a difficult race, but in the end we did it!”