MotoGP Misano: Bagnaia “happy and motivated” for home race

09/16/2021 |
Christina Bulpett |
MotoGP

Image: GeeBee Pictures

Pecco Bagnaia is still on cloud nine after his first MotoGP win and could there be another one at home for the Ducati Lenovo star after the arrival of the paddock in Misano?

“I’m happy for now,” said Bagnaia on Thursday. “The last week has been amazing. I feel great with the bike from the start and then everything was clear from the start. My first win was something I didn’t expect such a first win because I never fight that much in MotoGP. Winning my first race was very nice so I enjoyed the weekend a lot, but more the race because it was nice to have that kind of fight.

“I’m really happy for this weekend to be in front of our fans in the crowd, so it’s going to be very, very nice to drive like this. Is a track that I was strong on last year. In the second I made a mistake, but in the first I made my first podium. This is a track that I really like and that I often train on with my Panigale V4 S.

“I’m just very happy and motivated to drive here after last week’s victory. The win on Sunday in Aragón was incredible and gave me the right energy for our second home race in Misano. I know it won’t be easy because this year the level is very, very high. Last year I felt great too but it’s very hard to predict what you will be doing this weekend but I am sure we can fight.

“I just tried to do everything well during the race,” he continued, remembering the impressive win over Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez last weekend. “If you work a lot on your pace during the weekend sessions, you will be better prepared for the race. But you can’t predict what your rival will do during the race. When Marc started to overtake I was just trying not to let him take corners in the front and that was maybe the key because I’m winning.

“We are working very well, our bike this year is amazing and the hard work we are doing in the pits, including with Jack [Miller], is unbelievable. So every time we are closer to always being at the top and I would also like to see a red bike up there. “