lap-by-lap analysis after a ses-
sion [on Friday], you'll see that
just me and Fabio [Quartararo]
are using very old tires all ses-
sion long. I prefer this. It can be
difficult as if you don't see your
name up front, you lose a bit of
the line. But I've worked a lot on
that, and it's helped me to be
stronger for Sunday.
"In the last races, I was always
struggling a bit on the first
days in the weekend. But then,
on Sunday, I was always com
-
petitive again. It's a strategy that
needs more time. The bike last
year suited everywhere we went.
This year, the bike is completely
different in terms of setting and
feeling, so we have to change it
(adapt it) and change our mind
to that. I needed more time to
understand it, but then, in the
races, it's so competitive. I'm
always working on myself, and
this always helps for Sunday."
Too often, he was written off af
-
ter the Sprint. In Indonesia, when
he limped home to an under-
whelming eighth, Marquez landed
a jibe, stating, "Pecco's finding
out just how hard it is to defend a
title." After becoming the first rider
to win from lower than 12th on the
grid since April 2006, the following
day, Bagnaia spent the cool-down
lap cupping his ear to the grand-
stands. "Some people talk too
soon," he smirked at the time.
That experience was crucial at
Valencia, where he arrived with
a 21-point advantage and then
had to defend a 14-point lead
in the final race. "Last year [at
Valencia], I was under a lot more
pressure," he said. "This year, I
managed it quite well because I
was always thinking just about
the race. I think I've done a big
step in front, in terms of being
calm in some situations to man
-
age them better.
"My team has helped me a lot,
too. I think I will continue trying
to understand and try to learn
Many times this year,
Bagnaia was written
off after subpar Sprint
races only to come back
and win Sunday's GPs.
"Some people talk too
soon," says Bagnaia.
"LAST YEAR
FABIO STARTED
VERY WELL,
BUT AS SOON
AS I STARTED TO
WIN, HE WAS IN
TROUBLE."
INTERVIEW I 2023 MOTOGP CHAMPION PECCO BAGNAIA
P70
