Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia got off to the best possible start ahead of his home GP at Mugello this weekend, with the Italian topping Friday’s incredibly close standings.
Less than three-tenths separated the top-five riders at the close of play, with Johann Zarco just a further four-tenths adrift in 10th place, as Bagnaia outpaced Alex Rins and Franky Morbidelli to take the day with his final lap.
“First of all, a great day” the Italian exclaimed this afternoon as he recapped his performance.
“I'm happy because we did a good job. We improved my feeling with the front of the bike - with really used front tyres I did '46.6, so, was really good.
“At the moment, we are in a good position where we started the week in the best way possible so everything is set at the moment. We still have work to do to manage better the rear tyre, but at the moment, we are happy.
“For sure, the Yamaha guys are really strong. Fabio, Maverick and Franky today were so, so fast. I think that also the others in Ducati will for sure improve their pace tomorrow so they will be fast, and also the Suzuki riders. I think seven, eight riders can fight for the win, but at the moment I think that my pace is really strong so I'm just trying to continue working in the same way.”
With Jack Miller and Johann Zarco sitting ninth and tenth at the close of Friday’s two practices there was talk about them possibly needing to take a page out of the youngster’s book after his stellar performance but Bagnaia was adamant he still has plenty to learn from his more experienced colleagues.
“If I would be in front of someone else from Ducati I would for sure, continue pushing, like I always do. I think that all the riders in Ducati have something that I can learn from them. Jack is very good on the lean angle, Zarco is really good on traction so I think that I have still to learn something. This track, is a track that I really like and a track where my riding style maybe performs well, but I am sure that the other two factory riders will be on top tomorrow.”
