Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia is riding the crest of a wave after two MotoGP victories in the past three races.
However, despite claiming 35 podiums, 16 on the top step, throughout his World Championship career, Bagnaia is yet to stand on the Barcelona rostrum. Something he is hoping to change this weekend as round nine tackles the famously tricky Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
“My ten years in the world championship, I never did a good result here,” Mugello winner Bagnaia admitted on Thursday. “My last podium was in 2012 in the Spanish championship, so I have to change a bit this situation.
"In any case is one of my favourite GP's of the year,” he continued. “I always like to arrive here. I like the track, I like the people around and it's great, but for sure will be important to do the same work we did in the last weekend from FP1.”
While the Italian has yet to enjoy much success at Barcelona, his year-round training at the VR46 ranch should come in handy.
“We already know that racing here is like doing flat track. So will be very, very important to understand that and improve our grip with the setting.
“The drop of the tyres in this track, especially in the right side, is heavy so will not be easy,” Bagnaia said of his main challenge this weekend. "Last year the three guys on the podium were with hard rear so the consumption is high and will be very important to be smart on the race.
“Will not be easy, because normally when the grip is low, we have to change a bit the setting because my setting is a bit different. So let's see. We will have a lot of work to do in these days but I'm quite sure that we will be competitive.
“I think that we can be the contenders for the title. We have still a lot of races to do but in this moment is like this.
“Last year I was doing a good weekend but then in the qualifying and in the race I struggled more,” the Italian continued. “I think our potential this year is higher compare where we were last year. Also the new fairing can help me more in the last sector, that was the sector I was losing more time.
“Let's see this year, the grip can be less than last year too because also the weather but is too soon to say something. I want to say something tomorrow afternoon and I hope that I will be already in good shape.”
