“It Will Be a Good Fight” – Press Conferences Set the Stage for Round 13 at Misano
The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli welcomes the 2024 MotoGP™ season’s 13th round at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Thursday’s media day was filled with excitement and key updates as riders gathered for their press conferences. Among the hot topics was the completion of one of the final pieces of the 2025 rider lineup puzzle.
Here are the main stories from the day, as eight riders took to the stage. The first press conference featured Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), alongside Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Aragon GP winner Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). The second saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) joined by Miguel Oliveira from Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™.
As we gear up for the track action, here are the riders’ key quotes from Thursday’s press conferences:
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing)
On his potential to dominate Misano:
“It’s great to be back at Misano after last year’s result, but what I did then doesn’t matter anymore. The key is to keep improving because the level is rising fast. Pecco and Enea will be strong here since they train a lot on this track. While dominating might be difficult, I’ll do my best.”
On last year’s performance:
“I felt good right from the first practice last year, but Pecco and Marco were injured, which gave me an advantage. I hope to improve on the back straight where I lacked speed last time.”
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
On physical condition and a fresh start after Aragon:
“I want to apologize to Alex Marquez for my strong words after the Aragon race. I was frustrated, and while I stand by my view on the incident, I realize I was too harsh. Physically, I’m not 100%, but I’m determined to be ready for my home Grand Prix at Misano, a track where I’ve raced countless kilometers.”
On resolving the incident with Alex Marquez:
“We had a conversation after the race. Sometimes anger makes you say things you don’t mean. We both had high ambitions at that moment, and now we’re focused on moving forward.”
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
On Gresini’s home race providing extra motivation:
“My target for the season was reached at Aragon, so now we can breathe a bit easier and use that momentum. We’re learning and improving each race. If we start with the same feeling we had at the Red Bull Ring, that will be enough for me.”
On finding consistency in 2024:
“In Valencia, I realized my decision to continue was the right one. Now we need to work on consistency, which is the toughest part in this championship, and where these guys (Jorge and Pecco) have an edge over us.”
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team)
On expectations for Misano after missing last year’s race:
“I’m excited to be back at one of my favorite circuits, close to my hometown. We train here a lot, and I think we can be competitive. Silverstone was great, and I hope for the same sensation here. The fight with Jorge, Pecco, and Marc will be a good one.”
On family support and pressure:
“It’s always special to race at Misano, especially with family and friends around. But we have many races left, so it’s important to stay focused for the rest of the season.”
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)
On his confidence after Aragon:
“I’m happy to have been competitive again at Aragon. We’ll aim to be as strong here, though our competitors will be fast. Brad and Dani had a great race last year, so let’s see if we can match that.”
On 2025 title contention predictions:
“Herve’s words mean a lot, and while we’re still a step behind our rivals, I believe we’ll make significant progress in the coming months. The project is still young, but I’m confident we’ll get there.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
On his performance in Aragon:
“I didn’t expect to complete the race, let alone perform so well. Despite injuries to my collarbone and shoulder, I’m feeling good on the bike. Misano is special, and it’s even more so this year with VR46.”
On his first race with VR46 at Misano:
“The energy is high after a big team dinner last night. Everyone is motivated, and we’re ready to give it our all at this home race.”
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
On his physical condition after Aragon:
“I’m feeling good, though not yet 100%. After a big crash, recovery isn’t easy, but with three hours of physio on Monday and more today, I’m improving daily.”
On Gresini’s home GP and fan support:
“It’s always a great feeling to race in front of home fans. We struggled here last year, but with the right focus, I believe we can secure a good result this weekend.”
Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™)
On motivation for the new challenge:
“Yamaha’s renewed focus on development motivated me to join. After working with two manufacturers, I’ve learned to adapt my riding style, which will help us develop quicker. Joining a factory team like Pramac is a huge motivator, and I’m eager to get started.”
Stay tuned as track action begins on Friday, with plenty more drama and excitement to come from Misano!
Official MotoGP Press Release
