At the end of the Argentine GP, the words uttered by Bagnaia in which he had feared that he could return to the GP24 made quite a stir. Arriving at Austin, Pecco clarified what he said, "I want to clarify that what I was expressing was a concept, I meant that I wanted to find the sensations I had on the GP24 - he udnerlined - My words were a bit misrepresented, because I am looking for the confidence I had last year, but by necessity you have to move forward. I will continue with this bike, but trying to find the feelings of 2024."
To do that he will have to face Austin, a circuit he likes, but the real problem is that in Texas Marc Marquez is unbeatable, or almost.
"I think this track is better for me than Termas, Austin is a circuit more my thing," said Bagnaia, "I like more this kind of braking, gentle corners. Thanks to the steps forward made in the previous two races, I think I can be more competitive."
Where are you in this process?
"I'm getting closer and closer to my usual feeling, I just need to take the last step forward. I expected to be able to do it on Sunday in Argentina, but I wasn't ready yet. I hope this weekend will help me do that."
Where do you still need to work?
"I'm missing the last part of corner entry, some speed there. I'm strong on braking, on the exit, but when I have to carry speed into the corner I suffer more and it's clear. In the last week I've just been training a lot, analyzing all the data to improve and we'll see if I can do it."
Despite the difficulty, it is still the best start to the season since you have been racing in MotoGP.
"In terms of points yes, but in terms of feeling it is similar to last year, when I was not very happy with the bike. In 2023 I scored a lot less points, but the feeling was better. I think the strategy I am approaching this season with is better because in the first two races I realized it would be too risky to get further ahead than I did. Last season I learned to stay calmer."
Shouldn't racing with a Desmosedici very similar to last year's have helped?
"If the first two races of the championship had been in Qatar and Portimao, the situation would have been different. Obviously, with 'ifs' and 'buts' you never know, the goal was to get the best possible and still I got three third places and a fourth, I wasn't that far behind. The two Marquez riders did a better job than I did. They usually did very little motorcycle training in the winter, but this time they did it more and took a step forward."
Is this something to emulate?
"I always ride a lot but, unfortunately, it is colder in Italy than in Spain. Now that the temperatures are rising, I will increase my training and that can help me."
Will you take advantage of the Thursday practice session in Misano before the CIV weekend?
"I think there will be many of us doing it, in my opinion it was nice that the Federation came up with this possibility. It will be good training."
Back to Austin: What is your goal?
"To close the gap and be as close as possible to the best, if not ahead. I think this weekend Marc will be super competitive, it is the best track for him along with Sachsenring. Usually Alex is not super fast here, but we have all seen the strides he has made. My goal is to fight with them."
Is beating Marquez in Austin possible?
"Beating Marc here would mean so much. We know how difficult it is, but I'm here to try."
The weather does not look good for tomorrow.
"The situation will be the same for everyone. The goal for tomorrow is to get into Q2 and work on being fast, then we'll see. I did a lap yesterday and the asphalt is very good."
A year ago Vinales and the Aprilia dominated.
"I think Maverick last year was very good from the first round and he made more of a difference, in my opinion. But the Aprilia, because of its stability, can be very competitive on this track."
