«I spoke to Mattarella about motorbikes. Sinner, my idol»- Corriere.it

With number one on the Ducati, Pecco Bagnaia sets off this weekend to defend the title. In Portugal, on the Portimao circuit, in the inaugural race of the MotoGP. In the longest season ever.
In recent years, few champions have used that number, perhaps because it weighs too much?

«It should be normal instead. In terms of pressure, it creates expectations, because you have to prove that you are still number one. But it’s positive pressure. I’m ready”.

How has life as a champion changed? For her, who is reserved, maybe it was better before, she could go around calmly…

“Nope, it’s much better now. I receive many compliments, I feel much more friendship. And it turns into passion.

Can Ducati still improve?

«The new bike got off to a great start, it already works better than the old one. It’s more “physical”, I’ve been asking for it for a while and we got there. But there is still margin, but we are more ready than other opponents».

According to Marquez, Ducati has taught everyone a lesson. For an encore, will he have to defend himself only from other Ducatisti?

«What has changed Ducati has also been the strategy on the riders: take on young riders. And now these youngsters are among the strongest on the track».

To make a great champion you also need a great rival, who can be his?

“There isn’t just one. Quartararo, Bastianini, Marquez. They are the strongest, together with me».

In so many years close to Valentino Rossi what have you learned?

“The method. The mental attitude, the hunger for results. Peace of mind during a race weekend that I didn’t have before. Vale is always lucid».

How are things going with Bastianini? Is the bar of the challenge raised?

“Well, we’ve known each other for a long time. I think he’s never been used to having a relationship where we help each other so much in the garage. But I find it essential. We have made progress and worked well in the tests. We will continue and if we are also ahead in the race, he will mean that we have done our duty ».

Always engaged to Domizia. Does he feel ready to start a family?

“I’m ready to get married, not yet to be a dad. We still have plenty of time, we love each other and we know it. We would have liked to get married this summer, in July: but Luca Marini’s wedding is already here and we had to postpone it for a year. We’ll do everything calmly.”

Is it true that you were falling asleep at the World Cup party in Valencia?

“I left first. I hadn’t eaten after the Valencia race, due to tension. I was destroyed.”

How did you meet Domitia?

“Our parents have known each other forever. Domizia is a great friend of my sister, I saw her go out together and I liked her. Then one year they came to Pesaro on vacation and I found the courage to tell them…».

What did he give himself for the World Cup? A Ferrari?

«A holiday in the Maldives. Maybe I’ll get myself some other presents later…”

What music do you listen to?

«Rock and hip-hop. And Italian music: Battisti, Ligabue, Jovanotti, my father always heard them when I was a child».

MotoGP doubles the races with 21 Sprint Races. Did they double your salary too?

“No, but that’s okay. I take enough already.’

If you could travel through time to challenge a past champion who would you challenge?

«Valentino when he was at the top, I would take the pay for sure. Me on the first Ducati and him on the Yamaha».

A lot of aerodynamics, it’s a MotoGP that changes. How much?

«Ducati has been developing wings since 2010. I don’t understand those riders who claim that motorcycles with wings are dangerous: instead they help to stabilize. Anyone who complains now is because they are in trouble.”

Is there anything troubling you this season?

«The calendar is long, you have to be very constant. But I’m ready for 42 races. Just make no mistake, like at the beginning of 2022 ».

If you weren’t a racing driver, what other sport would you like to break into?

“In tennis. I take lessons, I follow all Sinner’s matches when I can ».

At the Tavullia ranch, do the other riders look at you differently than when you were champion?

«The relationship is the same as I had when I arrived in 2013. Jokes, jokes, laughter: no one is offended. And it’s nice that it is.”

What did you say when you met President Mattarella?

«I was very moved when I gave my speech at the Quirinale. But the president made me feel calm, this aspect of him surprised me a lot. And above all he was very interested in the motorbike: he wanted to know what all the buttons were for. It was nice to be able to explain them to him one by one.”

Do you feel ready to open a cycle: two or three titles in a row?

“I am 100% committed to succeeding. So I will try in every way ».