Chasing the Pack: Di Giannantonio Strives to Bridge the Gap with GP24 Bikes in MotoGP

Fabio Di Giannantonio mentions that although they are putting in significant effort, matching the performance of the GP24 Ducatis presents a challenging gap to bridge.

Fabio Di Giannantonio secured a position as the leading GP23 contender after Marc Marquez, achieving his season's first top-five finish at the Catalunya MotoGP.

Before this point, Di Giannantonio consistently placed in the top ten in all grand prix races this season, achieving sixth place twice, notably at COTA and Le Mans.

Nonetheless, an impressive race speed towards the end in Catalunya enabled him to pass Alex Marquez and, on the final lap, Raul Fernandez.

"Di Giannantonio expressed his satisfaction, noting, “We've been steadily placing in the top five and I've maintained a strong level of consistency throughout the initial portion of the championship.”

"I desire greater achievements, yet for now, I am content. There's a minor problem, which isn't exactly a problem, but there's a need for us to enhance our performance in the initial two laps of the races. That's primarily because I struggle to get comfortable with the tyres at that stage."

"I'm unable to exert the force I desire, resulting in a significant drop in my standings. Addressing this issue is crucial since, despite this setback, my speed was commendable, allowing me to regain numerous places towards the race's conclusion.

"Overall, we performed well. We just need to address the issues in the initial laps, and then we're right in contention for the top five, which puts us close to the battle for the podium. So, we're not too far off."

Di Giannantonio highlighted his proficiency in braking during the Catalunya race, emphasizing that this skill has been a consistent strength in his riding over the past few years.

In response to inquiries about his ascent in the rankings, Di Giannantonio elaborated, “I've always excelled in braking, you could say I'm proficient at it. Moreover, my ability to handle the tyres allows me to adopt various racing lines, enabling me to overtake competitors at virtually any point on the track.

"For me, that's a strong point, and I also persist without giving up. On the final lap, I was trailing Fernandez by a second, but I made up my mind to overtake him, and that's exactly what I achieved. This demonstrates another positive aspect."

In discussing his progression to match the front-runners like Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, and his GP23 colleague Marc Marquez, Di Giannantonio acknowledged that the disparity in equipment is a significant challenge to bridge.

"Starting the year with a top five finish boosts your confidence, showing you're on the right track and not far behind," Di Giannantonio explained.

"Undoubtedly, the 24 bicycles have surpassed us. We're putting in significant effort, yet it's challenging to match their level."

"Mugello is unique; the added energy from the supporters will certainly be beneficial. We must put on a fantastic performance, and I'm aiming to be quick enough to make that happen."

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