A golden opportunity for Fabio Di Giannantonio

Fabio Di Giannantonio aims for top-three finish in MotoGP, studying Francesco Bagnaia’s data to improve his braking and racecraft.

Fabio Di Giannantonio of Italy and Pertamina Enduro VR46 rides during practice ahead of the MotoGP of Australia at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Phillip Island on October 19, 2024. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Fabio Di Giannantonio is determined to make 2025 his breakout year in MotoGP, with Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez serving as his key reference points. The VR46 rider is equipped with factory-spec Ducati machinery, giving him a strong foundation to fight at the front. However, the season will be a true test of his potential, as he competes against experienced rivals like Gresini’s Marc Marquez and his own teammate, Franco Morbidelli.

If Di Giannantonio struggles against these competitors, his stock within Ducati’s ecosystem could decline. While Ducati opted to use last year’s engine, the GP25 remains an advanced machine with clear performance advantages. As the season progresses and the championship moves to European circuits, the gap between Ducati and its rivals is only expected to widen.

Despite the pressure, there is an optimistic outlook for Di Giannantonio. Ducati remains the dominant force in MotoGP, as demonstrated in the season opener in Thailand, where no rival manufacturer showed enough progress to disrupt their supremacy. This gives the Italian a golden opportunity to add to his solitary premier-class race win.

With a bike capable of fighting at the front, Di Giannantonio should be aiming for a top-three finish in the championship. His previous best was a 10th-place finish in 2024, but with the machinery and experience at his disposal, he has a real chance to elevate his status in the paddock.

However, his pre-season preparations were hampered by a crash, putting him at a mileage deficit compared to his competitors. This could mean he needs time to reach his full potential.

Learning from MotoGP’s best

One of Di Giannantonio’s biggest assets is his ability to manage tyres effectively, a skill he highlighted in an interview with Crash. He also considers himself one of the strongest riders under braking—when he fully trusts his bike.

“I’m really good with tyre management,” he said. “I always have been since I joined MotoGP. I’m really good at understanding the point of traction, so I have a really good connection with the throttle.

“Then, when I trust the bike, when I feel good with the bike, I can also be one of the best brakers.

“When not, I lose a little bit of this. So sometimes this becomes a bit of a weak point because there are other riders like Pecco who, no matter what the conditions, are always braking at the very maximum.”

Di Giannantonio has been paying close attention to Bagnaia’s data, hoping to refine his braking technique. The reigning world champion has the ability to extract the maximum performance from his bike in this area, regardless of track conditions. Bagnaia himself identified braking limitations in the GP25 during pre-season testing—issues that even Ducati test rider Michele Pirro had not detected.

The influence of Valentino Rossi

Beyond his on-track progress, Di Giannantonio is also hoping to receive more support from VR46 team owner Valentino Rossi. The Italian believes that Rossi’s presence at more races in 2025 would serve as a motivational boost for the Tavullia-based outfit. Having the guidance of a nine-time world champion could prove invaluable as he looks to establish himself among MotoGP’s elite.

Bagnaia and Marquez form a strategic alliance

Di Giannantonio is not the only rider looking to learn from Bagnaia. MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura closely observed the two-time champion during the Thailand Sprint race and was particularly struck by the smoothness of his riding style.

Bagnaia’s strengths are well-documented. He tends to excel on clockwise circuits with predominantly right-hand turns, while Marquez has historically been dominant on anti-clockwise layouts. Recognizing their complementary strengths, Bagnaia and Marquez have reportedly formed a “pact” to share insights and improve their collective performance within Ducati’s ranks.

This strategic alliance could raise the overall competitiveness of Ducati’s riders, further solidifying the manufacturer’s dominance. For Di Giannantonio, the challenge now is to capitalize on this environment, absorb the knowledge around him, and translate it into consistent podium finishes.

With a strong start to the season and the right guidance, 2025 could be the year Di Giannantonio cements himself as a top-tier MotoGP contender.