Marquez? “A motivation” for Bagnaia

Pecco Bagnaia is at the dawn of a season which could see him come down from his pedestal a second time, this time internally, if he were to be dominated by his new teammate, or which could on the contrary assert itself more than ever his stature as a great champion if he managed to beat Marc Márquez on equal terms.

Perhaps due to a certain discretion, the Italian still sees some MotoGP fans being choosy about his two titles and two vice-world champion places acquired in four years, his 29 victories in the last 65 Grands Prix, including 11 last season alone, and his ability to produce stunning performances, even in the aftermath of a potential rout. So, having Marquez at his side is ultimately a godsend for him, because it could allow him to impress even the most demanding.

“I know that being alongside a rider like him, a champion like him who has eight titles, some of which acquired in difficult situations without having the best bike, is motivation for me, to perform as well as him when things are not ideal”, observe Pecco Bagnaia.

“In general, I find my motivation in everything. Marc's arrival is a change as was Bastianini's. The difference is that Marc has won eight titles, so it's clearly a great example of 'from a sporting point of view and in terms of performance I will therefore try to beat him, but also to learn everything I can.'

“Last year I already tried to learn from what he does in the left corners. It's not easy but I think I improved a little during the season and I will continue to do so” , promises the Italian pilot.

Do you necessarily have to like each other to form an effective team? The question may arise when we see the student of Valentino Rossi associated with Marc Márquez. Except that he doesn't care, he who promises that psychological games have no influence on him and who strives to maintain good relations with all his adversaries.

“Frankly, I've never had any problems with anyone and I don't think I ever will. In any case, I know how essential it is to work together, especially at this stage of the championship. We have to try to 'joining forces to get the best possible situation on a technical level I think we're doing well and we'll continue like that, but it's always good to have motivation, to have a strong teammate, so. we're going to try to beat each other, but by stimulating each other.”

Bagnaia is more interested in his preparation for the championship that awaits him, with the visceral desire not to repeat his mistakes from last year, which he analyzed at length. His approach, he explains, will adapt to what the program has in store rather than to the identity of his neighbor in the garage, he who has expressed all his respect for Márquez's predecessors in this position.

“I will continue to work in the same way at home. We have to prepare because there will be two more races. We will start on a different circuit. The only thing that will change a little will be the calendar and you have to prepare for it but in the approach, I will continue as usual, trying to work during the sessions, to place myself on the front line in qualifying and then to win.

“My approach will not change because Marc is my teammate. I want to beat everyone, I want to win the championship again. That's the ambition and I think our work for four seasons has been very good. We have always finished in the first two places and we won a lot of races. I have to improve on what I did poorly last year, and continue my consistency in terms of work.

With Vincent Lalanne-Sicaud