In his first season as a factory Ducati rider, Pecco Bagnaia blew up in the final stretch, winning four of the last six races of 2021 and finishing runner-up in the MotoGP world behind Fabio Quartararo, just 26 points behind.
The Italian got his first victory in the premier class at the Aragón Grand Prix last September, beating Marc Márquez after a one-on-one until the last lap.
The Turin-based driver claims that was the highlight of his 2021 season, and from that moment on he really started to enjoy every aspect of a Grand Prix weekend.
“For me, the win at Aragon was the unbelievable one,” Bagnaia said on our group’s publication Autosport ‘s Tank Slappers podcast. “The first victory, an incredible battle with Marc. I enjoyed a lot throughout the weekend.”
“From that moment on I started enjoying myself a lot, in every session and every weekend, I did it in the last part of the season. So I think I have to work on that to always be focused and enjoy every time.”
“I think that was Vale’s (Rossi) secret, to enjoy every time he drove. So, without a doubt, Aragón has changed something in my mind, and also something in my career. I have to work on it and always be like that” .
Rossi, a nine-time world champion, ended his career as a MotoGP rider at the end of the 2021 season, but will continue to be present in the paddock in 2022 through his VR46 team and the Academy riders, including Bagnaia .
The Doctor , who is still debating about what racing program he will carry out from January –it will be in GT–, has already been acting as a mentor for all the members of VR46 in recent years, and especially with Bagnaia, with whom that of Tavullia has a very close relationship.
The one from Ducati believes that despite moving away from the MotoGP paddock, Rossi will continue to act as an adviser to his ‘pupils’, especially with those who need him most, as would be the case in the event of fighting for the crown.
“In that case Vale will be very close to me, or close to any driver who needs his help,” replied Bagnaia in reference to whether he would ask Rossi for help if he were in a real position to win the championship.
“Rossi is our mentor, so he will always help us, I have no doubt about that. It will not be easy for him, because he will have to attend to his work with the cars. the next course.
Photos: the drivers’ unforgettable farewell tribute to Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT
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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Group photo with Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT
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Photo by: Media VR46
Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT
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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT
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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Podium: race winner Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, second place Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing, third place Jack Miller, Ducati Team