One of the protagonists of recent rounds has been Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing Moto3), the Italian a centrepiece in the heated podium battles of Mugello and Assen. The rookie of the Gresini team has been picking up speed ever since his first podium in Mugello, joining the front-runners on an almost consistent basis since.
There was a great battle in Assen, what were your thoughts on the weekend?
“Assen was a result that was somewhat unexpected, the weekend had not started well and we went in a crescendo. Even with an excellent Warm Up I certainly didn’t think we could do a race like that. On Sunday it was great, there were so many Italians at the front, all guys I’ve known for a long time and with whom I’ve fought since minibikes. The brawl was a lot of fun because it was clean. As a result, the last lap had everyone give everything. It was a really nice result for us!”
You’ve twice taken second now, did you expect it in your rookie year?
“Before the season started, honestly, no. Later we were able to improve race by race and then the podium was a more realistic goal. In any case I will not start thinking too much about the podium as a goal for the next races. I just want to continue to improve myself as much as possible.”
The German GP marks the mid-point of the championship: how has the first half gone?
“In my view the first part of the season has been positive, although the first few races were not easy, we were able to recover very well and overcome the initial difficulties.”
Your greatest achievements have no doubt been the two podiums, but what has been your biggest disappointment this season?
“No doubt the French GP at Le Mans. In the race we were hoping for our first championship points after a good qualifying. But we did not hit the target because I was not physically ready, I found myself unprepared to face the end of the race. After the race I was very disappointed and angry with myself but it was a lesson that taught me so much. It was an important episode and made us realise that we had to change my preparations and it helped us to get where we are now.”
What will we see from you in the second half of the year?
“Sachsenring is a track I really like and I know well as I ran there the last two seasons with the Red Bull Rookies Cup. It is a track rich with left hand corners, which I like. We go to Germany with the aim of continuing to improve, as always! In any case, in view of the Sachsenring and the second part of the season, my goal will always be the same: enter the top ten. I think for a rookie it is still a good result to always enter the top 10, so this is our target. Everything is about trying to improve and do my best to be better for 2017.”
What are your prospects for 2017?
“This goal is to keep improving during my rookie season and be ready to make a great 2017 season with the Gresini team.”