‘I want to always be pushing’

Francesco Bagnaia said there would be no change in approach despite recent setbacks.

Jorge Martin was second and Marco Bezzecchi was first in India, with the positions reversed for Misano, and that cut the lead at the top of the standings for Bagnaia.

The gap stands at 13 points between leader Bagnaia and Ducati’s Martin behind him.

Ahead of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan, he spoke to TNT Sports about experiencing those disappointments, but was in no mood to change his mentality.

Asked if he was disappointed, he said: “In terms of points, for sure a bit. In terms of feeling, we manage again to improve our situation for Sunday. The feeling was not at the top, but I was still fighting for the top position and I was in front, so we managed to improve and it’s something that we always have, this kind of effort to be competitive.

“I will not change my mentality or strategy in the race. I want to be always pushing and always be in the front. If I see I have the possibility to be in the front I will take it. I reflected on the crash, so we have to improve our feeling on the bike. The feeling last weekend wasn’t the best. For this weekend we have already chosen the strategy, so let’s see.”

Bagnaia has taken some blows in recent weeks. At Barcelona his leg was run over and despite being able to race at Misano with a fracture, he was unable to race to his full potential and finished third.

He continued: “In reality before Mugello I was behind Bezzecchi, we managed to open up a gap of 66 points to the second, and we just had the [bad] luck in Barcelona, I raced in Misano with the leg, then I raced in India and it was a difficult weekend.

“For sure it was not the best situation for us last weekend but I’m quite sure we’ll start to push and we’ll try to be competitive again.

“I think we will try two different situations for the weekend. Let’s see as always. I’m sure we’ll be competitive in the braking.”

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