Fabio Di Giannantonio

Motopod, proudly supported by Road Skin, a UK label specializing in protective outerwear for motorcyclists. Modern biker clothing that you can wear all day long, and engineered to save your skin. For the road, for life, visit roadskin.co.uk Welcome to Motopod, the internet radio show all about motorcycle road racing. This is going to be a very short special episode, number 784. As you can probably tell, this is Rich.

As mentioned with Jim in episode 783 last time out, we had an opportunity pre-Motegi round to have a brief chat with Fabio DiGiantonio of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 racing team. You only ever get a fairly brief time slot with these guys. So we tried to come up with a few interesting questions to throw at Fabio. We had a couple of questions, one from Brenton, a Patreon subscriber, and one from Jim. Now, somewhat surprisingly, given that Japan is the technological powerhouse of the world, the internet connection was pretty awful, so I'm afraid we did suffer with some breakup during the chat.

So the flow of the talk is perhaps not quite as I had hoped it would be. I've done my best to edit it in some fashion that is cohesive, but unfortunately I did lose some of the answers because the breakup of the line was just so bad, you just couldn't really hear Fabio's answer. So I do apologise for that. Not much you can do in these situations when you're talking with somebody long distance over VoIP. Anyway, I hope what we were able to gather and what I've been able to put together in the edit is interesting.

As we know, Fabio had a couple of pretty solid races and they now have a couple of weeks before Phillip Island. There is some talk that Fabio may well be going off to have this troublesome shoulder of his operated upon sooner rather than later. Whether that means he might bow out for the season and start his preparations for 2025 a wee bit early, obviously time will tell. Fabio will be the only other rider outside of the Works Ducati squad on the 2025 spec bike. So he has quite a high responsibility next year, so he will want to be fit and ready to go as soon as the pre-season starts.

Anyway, Jim and I will be catching up tomorrow on Tuesday to talk through the three races at Meteggi. Not a weekend of classics, I think most of us will agree. I'm sure Jim and I will still manage to spin it out to an hour and a half, but to fill in the gap between then and now, here we go. Over to Fabio. Well, hello everybody and welcome to a very special and rather unexpected show in which we have the rare honour and privilege to have a current MotoGP rider on the show, Petromino Enduro BR46 Racing Team star Fabio DiGiantonio.

Ciao Fabio! Ciao Riccardo, hello everybody. First of all, tell us how are you? How is Japan and how is the shoulder currently? Well, I'm good.

Japan is just fantastic. I love this country, the culture. Also the structures, I love them. They are quite good points on the design. My shoulder is okay.

Let's say that I'm recovering, the inflammation is going away step by step, the pain too. I still have a bit of annoying when I'm riding, but let's say that I'm quite okay at the moment. Can I ask you, just regarding the shoulder injury, because obviously we know that you riders are always kind of having some little injury or other during the season. So how does it affect your preparation and your training at the moment? Are you able to adapt the way you're approaching your preparation, say for this weekend in Motegi?

Well, honestly, I think my injury came in the worst period of the year because I got injured and since then I got like every race every seven days, let's say. So already when you're in a season, you're doing this, you don't train that much to build muscles. You train just to keep your preparation stable. Like this is not possible to put some muscles on it. Well, it should be at the moment on the shoulder.

So I had to do like two months focusing only on resting and recovering. So I was not able to train that much. So I'm just doing a lot of hours with the physio, try to reduce the inflammation. So honestly speaking, my physio condition now is not top form, but it's okay. It's also part of the game with all these races that we do during the year.

Yeah. Now Fabio, when speaking with riders for the first time, I always like to take a little bit of a look at the history. And when I look at yours, it's incredible to see what a big part of your career, the Grissini team and I guess the Grissini family has been and the role that they played in your development and your career. So the late and great Fausto Grissini must have been almost like a father figure, an incredible mentor for you. Can you give us some memories of your time with him whilst you were there, particularly in Moto3, Moto2 as you were coming up?

Well, let's say that has been like a love and hate relationship, let's say, because we started together in Moto3 and we did great things together. We achieved our first podium, first points, first victories and also we achieved to be the runner up of Moto3 in 2018. But then we left each other in a really bad way. So our relationship was really bad after that, after those three years. But then I went to SpeedUp team for a couple of years and then we came back together with Fausto for another year in MotoGP for 2021 and 2022.

And that moment was amazing because our relationship came back really good, better than ever. And yeah, it was just a real shame that we couldn't share a lot of memories together, especially last year, the end of the year. Yeah, he's always been a great figure, let's say, in the team and in the paddock. Has always been a super character. Also now that I'm growing, I respect him a lot on how he had a lot of long term C, let's say, or I on the things.

Like a vision. Yeah, exactly. On the teams, on the riders. So yeah, he was a great one. He's a PD that he left us and yeah, it was, as I say, the roller coaster relationship, but for sure I have a lot of good memories with him.

Nice. I must just ask you about Qatar last year. With all of the pressure on you at that point in your career in terms of the future in MotoGP, did you kind of enter that weekend almost knowing that you were going to win? Because very luckily for me, it was my first time to be at MotoGP race in the paddock with MotoPod. While I was around and I could see you and you had that kind of look of a guy that just knew you look very happy, very calm.

And of course, you know, the sprint race went incredibly well and then winning the race on the Sunday. I mean, how do you looking back, it's almost one year ago. What are your reflections on that incredible weekend that you had last November? Let's say that we were having a really bad moment because for sure everybody knows my old situation that I was without a seat for the year that we're coming. There was one point during that period that I say to my close friends and family like, OK, I want to know, I'm going to leave MotoGP without a win.

And everybody was like, come on, OK, we can do good things. But come on, let's be realistic, you know, and saying like, no, he doesn't understand. I'm not going to watch myself at 20 years old when I would be, I don't know, 50. That is really MotoGP and I would left without a win. So it's not possible.

Before the end of the year, I would get a win. So I put a lot of pressure on myself, you know, and in that race, honestly, we were coming in a good moment because on the track we were really fast. There were already some races that were showing a lot of speed. So I had the feeling that the feeling was really good. I was really fast through all the sessions.

But then on Saturday night, I got the info that it was done for me, MotoGP officially. So there was no places for me. So I arrived in the race on Sunday with the, yeah, the mood that you said was quite accurate. Like, I was really calm, focused and just I just wanted to enjoy that race and everything turned out just perfect and we showed an amazing performance. So it was a good one.

Now I can say that was a good one. At the moment it was a bit different, but now I can say that was a good one. Yeah, it was a nice one for me to be at as well, because I was in the stands for the actual race on the Sunday. I went out of the paddock and I watched the race with the rest of the fans and it was an amazing atmosphere. So congratulations on the win.

I mean, what a great day that was. And what was your, can you remember what your main emotion was? Was it pure joy or was it extreme relief? What was the kind of the overall feeling that you had at that moment? Let's say that it was for sure joy.

I was like, it's like when you finally understand and realize what you've done. Let's say that I've been so focused on making me better every day that I was not seeing any progress, let's say. I was doing progress, but I was not focusing on that. I was just more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more. And once I passed the finish line, I was like, oh man, wow, we did it.

You know, it was like I got up there, there was in front of a beautiful view. You know, it was like, it was amazing. And yeah, it was a beautiful relief, as you said. And it was a moment full of emotions. I remember that I cried like for some hours.

I'm not surprised. So tell us about your new home then at VR46. How is it? Because bearing in mind that, of course, you're a little bit unusual in the fact that you didn't come through the VR46 Academy or camp, however you want to talk it. So how is the experience arriving in the team as a little bit as an outsider, let's say, even though obviously you're Italian, but how is it?

No, it's true. I'm an outsider at the end because at the end they used to have day riders in their teams. And we did the first one of this and I'm quite honoured about it. Honestly, I was a bit scared of this because also for them it was a new thing. So honestly, I discovered a new approach of racing and I can say that it's exactly the same way that they want to enjoy racing.

We are on the same line. I enjoyed the weekend so much and it's no secret that I said many times also in other interviews that I really feel like I started to feel the joy to pack the things at home and go racing, the joy to go through the weekend to make interviews, to have fun with the mechanics. I don't know, to spend the time in the garage. So with them, I really start to enjoy racing. So it's a beautiful atmosphere.

Everybody here puts a lot of passion into it and this passion, so good. Yeah. Now I have a couple of questions that I want to ask you. One of these has come from one of our MotoPod Patreons, a guy called Brenton Edwards, who's in Australia. So Brenton would like to know about your role within Ducati and whether you're performing some test activities and getting new parts to try before the factory guys, or do you kind of have to wait until they've tried things out and then they come down to the VR46 team?

Let's say that next year we will be the factory team support. And the factory team support, you participate on the developing of the bike. The new things to try at the same time as the new things, really build the bike, let's say, work firstly on the factory team, on the factory garage, and then comes in your box, in your garage. So it's like a little delay, but you have the same package as the team test. It goes more or less in the same way.

If they have the pieces, like the real pieces, they come together in two or three riders next year, because I will be the only one with the factory team riders to have the factory bike. Yeah, so you're on the factory bike next year. And is there some plan in place already as to what role you will play next year on the factory bike? Will you get to do some testing as well? Well, no, we have the Michele Viro that is testing.

So it's just the wind on it and try to do the maximum on track. Yeah, okay, okay. Now, fair enough. And then a question from my co-host in America, Jim McDowell. This one is about the dreaded topic about the tyre pressure rules.

So Jim asks, as the pressure in the tyre goes up, can you explain the feeling of the loss of the grip? Is it kind of like you suddenly arrive on ice or is it a very gradual decline in the grip as the pressure goes up so that you get more movement and more sliding on the tyre? What is the feeling for you with the tyre pressure issue? It's not, let's say, the feeling that you get from the rising of the pressure. The feeling that you get is that when you brake from straight, you don't stop the bike.

You stop the bike less, the bike stops less. And also you start to have a lot of front locks. So from the straight braking, you start to lose a lot of times the front. And when you go inside the corner, so in the end, the bike doesn't want to turn. So it is like it pushes you.

So in the end, you still want to carry the brakes into it and you do worse. But if you release the brakes, you go wide. So it's like you cannot attack anymore. You are completely done, let's say. So it's really the worst feeling because where you make a lot of time with these bikes is the braking and the entry.

Because then on the exit, more or less, everybody are on the controls on that spinning lever, more or less. So the thing that you can do, the difference is the braking and then the entry. And if you lose it, you're done. And what is your opinion about the situation with the new Michelin front tyre, which we believe is delayed again? Is that frustrating for you?

Would you like to see this new tyre coming sooner? I think now they're talking about 2026 at the earliest. What is your feeling about that? Well, for sure it would be an output to have a new tyre because this year we got a new rear tyre that created us a lot of problems, especially with the 2023 bike. That is a bike that has a lot of edge grip.

And with the new tyre, now we have too much edge grip and it pushes a lot the front. So to have a new front tyre that supports the rear would be much better for us this year. But then for the future, honestly, for me, that's a must because everybody will be on the same issues or it will be OK. It's just I think all the manufacturers will build bikes on this set up of tyres. So it will not be a big issue next year.

OK. Now, Fabio, all through your career, so in Moto3, in Moto2 and now, of course, in MotoGP, we've seen in your results the growth and the progress in terms of your pace and your performance. So what is the key for you in unlocking the performance in the MotoGP bike? Is it a process of learning and experience year by year or is it very track specific? The performance is always there, but you just have to find that sweet bike set up, that base set up very early in the weekend in order to move forward.

How does it work for you? Let's say your first time, if you're a rookie, the thing that you need is, let's say the cruise ship and the data analyser that you have in the garage. They have to be really experienced because they have to teach you how to use the big bike, the MotoGP bike with a lot of power, a lot of controls. They need to teach you. So that's the key because a lot of times also this year, we've been fast, we arrived at the race, for the race we had a really good set up, but it was a bit too late.

Yeah. For winning the race, you need to have the best set up, at least for FP2 on Saturday morning. If you have the best set up Saturday morning, you have the chance to fight for the win or for the podium for Sunday. Okay. I'm probably getting towards using up all of my time, but very quickly, can I ask you, how do you relax away from MotoGP?

Obviously we talk to you guys all the time about racing and the pressure and so on, but given the level that you guys operate at during the season, what is your way when you're away from the track to chill out? What do you do to relax? Well, during the race weekends, I like to enjoy a lot of fun and cool moments with my physio and my best friend that is always with me. I really want to live the weekend in a soft way, in a light way. I don't want to get too much stress or get too much work.

Also once we arrive in our room hotel or in the track in my motorhome. So when I'm in the garage, I'm fully focused. When I'm outside, I want to chill out. At home, I like to spend a lot of time with my friends. I like to spend time for my hobbies, for my design hobby or for music.

I like to listen to a lot of music, relax, discover new music. I really try to separate the things because I think when we are here, these three, four days are really 100% focused. So once I'm at home, I want to do opposite, 100% relax, do my things for sure, but 100% thinking out of MotoGP. Are you able to do that reasonably effectively? Can you switch it off?

Can you just purely relax for a few days and not think about too much? The next race, the next test, the next media thing that you have to do. Is it possible to do that for you? When you do good, kids, my cheat year. When you do bad, it's a bit worse, but it depends a lot on how the other people, the people that are close to you, they are.

Because if they are the first guys to put pressure on you, to talk about the Moto, the Moto sent by the is really tough. But they know me, all my friends know me, my family know me, knows me. So they know that when I'm at home, I just want to be Fabio. I don't want to be Fabio Di Cent, Antonio MotoGP rider. So they know the intent is for me, it's quite easy.

You seem like a very humble guy. It doesn't appear that being a MotoGP superstar has affected you in a negative way. So is that kind of something you try to consciously stay grounded as, you know, Fabio, did you, Antonio, that's who you are? Do you try to separate these two lives that you live? Let's say, mate, I feel lucky to do what I like to do.

I do a beautiful sport, a beautiful job. But at the end, I'm just a 25-year-old guy that is doing what he likes, what he loves to do. So, as I said, I'm lucky. I come from almost nothing, so I know what it is to do, nothing. I just, you know, I'm just grateful to my family, that helped me to arrive here, to the people that were on my way to arrive here.

So it's not a thing that I have to be focused on. It's just me, I'm fully conscious that I'm lucky and I want to act like crazy for this. I'm just, I try to be me. As I always say, I just try to be me. It's a nice story, really nice story.

So finally, then, Japan, Motegi this weekend, how do you feel about the track? Is it one that you enjoy? I mean, what's your feeling going into this weekend in terms of what's possible? Yeah, this track is beautiful. I love it.

It's one of the coolest tracks for breakings of the year because we have a lot of hard breakings here. So we'll have a lot of fun sliding into the corner. Yeah, last year has been a good weekend for us. I had a lot of speed on dry, but also on wet. So let's try and let's hope to have this kind of feeling of last year, but also the feeling that we had in Indonesia, that was a good one.

We were quite fast. And I think we are quite okay. We find that perfect setup for FP2. We can do a really good race and I hope to be really close to the 24 guys that, at the moment with this new bikes that I have, just like a little bit, but the goal is to be really close to them to give them a good fight. Yeah, well, Fabio, we wish you the best of luck this weekend.

Of course, it's been an immense pleasure to speak with you. And plus thanks to Laura and to Paul for helping to set this up. Yeah, on behalf of the entire Motopod community, really, it's been a real pleasure to talk to you. All the very best for this weekend. And I'm very determined.

I'm going to try and see if I can get to Bruneau next season. Now that it's back, you must be very excited to see that track coming back to the calendar. I've never been, so I'm going to try and get to Bruneau next year. So maybe there'll be a chance to have a quick chat with you again sometime next season. But thank you very much.

And it's been a great pleasure to talk to you. And we thank you very much and wish you all the best. Thank you. What's a pleasure for me. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Fabio.