Franco Morbidelli Breaks Podium Drought with Gritty Sprint Race at Misano

Franco Morbidelli achieved "a genuine sprint race" to break his MotoGP podium dry spell at Misano.

"It's been a long time since I felt this way," he remarked.

Franco Morbidelli expressed that he could participate in a "genuine sprint race" during the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix, as he secured a third-place finish on Saturday, ending his long absence from the podium.

The Pramac team rider faced a challenging season after joining Ducati. He missed the entire pre-season due to a concussion, which caused him to start the season at a disadvantage.

In the latest races, Morbidelli has begun to demonstrate impressive speed on the GP24, and at Misano, he secured a front-row start for the first time since the Spanish Grand Prix in 2021.

During the sprint race, he managed to hold off factory Ducati team rider Enea Bastianini to claim the third spot on the podium. This achievement marked his first podium finish in a sprint race and his first podium finish of any kind since Jerez in 2021.

Morbidelli acknowledges that he falls short in certain aspects when compared to the top-performing Ducatis, but believes his displayed speed was authentic.

“It was an excellent Saturday,” he started.

"We secured a front-row position in the morning, and in the afternoon, we successfully completed a proper sprint race, maintaining a consistent pace."

"The leading duo maintained an impressive pace, and we succeeded in keeping up with them."

"We fell short in a few aspects, but ultimately it was sufficient to secure third place."

"I'm thrilled. We're going to make an effort to introduce some enhancements tomorrow and improve our performance. We'll see if we're successful."

Morbidelli commented, "It's been a long time since I've experienced this sensation while riding."

"I'm starting to regain that feeling, and seeing myself in the top spot definitely helps. I aim to maintain this momentum."

The previous winner of the Misano Grand Prix is expected to be a strong contender for a podium finish in Sunday’s full-length race. However, Morbidelli emphasizes that selecting the right tyres will be crucial for his performance.

"To start with, we need to decide on the tire," he stated.

"It will be crucial to select the appropriate option and to take additional measures to improve performance and enhance the experience in certain aspects."

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