From the press conference before the Italian GP in Mugello

What many readers of relevant portals do not know is something that should not actually exist. Dorna wants to see the questions at the press conferences in advance, or the team responsible for PR for the various drivers. Of course, journalists keep trying occasionally, but the pilots at the PK are prepared for it. Another problem is the fact that since Dovi withdrew and Cal Crutchlow was kicked out of HRC Honda, there is only one original with Jack Miller, which sometimes concerns politically questionable comments in interviews. Often we could take over their sayings from driver x to y with the copy / paste function and hardly a reader would notice.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Gresini Racing Team) at the press conference before the Italian GP in Mugello.

When riders put something bland on the record and yet everyone is listening eagerly
In our opinion and experience, this summary is correct in at least 9 out of 10 cases. For example, none of the drivers at the PK will say that they want to get worse in the next race. This also makes sense, but not everyone understands the constant “we” in their statements. Often it sounds like half the team is sitting on the pillion, and the driver is always on his own. Except for the ads on the pit board and the display of their bikes, they hardly notice what is happening at the same time, and that’s a good thing. In any case, we always struggle to publish mostly meaningless standard sayings, which as a rule have little real expressiveness. Sometimes we do it, but we stand by our reluctance, which is deeply anchored in us.

Mugello 2019 photographed by us on site – this time, however, the race will be without spectators, except for a few privileged people.

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha): “I expect a good race, although Ducati has won the last 3 races here. Our Yamaha is certainly not the best bike on the straights, but there are a lot of corners here. In 2016, I rode here in Moto3 and had an excellent race at Mugello. Unfortunately, I switched to start-finish, but it was a great experience. What I can already say is that I will hardly break the top speed record (laughs at Jack Miller). “

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) first competed in 2019 in MotoGP at Mugello – but the fast man from Nice is looking forward to the weekend, and he is confident that he will deliver a good result.

Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo): “Above all, it is important for me to be at the forefront right from the start. I’m not thinking of winning yet, but only when I should have the chance. I love the track, and it goes well with the Ducati and can with a good weekend. But the chances are good for a successful weekend. My goal this time has to be to finish the race at all, because I didn’t succeed in 2019.“

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati Racing): “I have a good feeling with the Ducati and after the Le Mans race I’m happy to be back in the top 3. My goal is to stay there. The main favourites for me are Fabio and the Yamaha’s, which I, Pecco and Jack have to try to beat. Arrabiata one and two, turns 8 and 9 are very difficult and there you always have the feeling that you can go a little faster. But it’s not easy, at least these are my most demanding parts, plus the part up to Turn 10. “

Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) – the local hero has to try to see the chequered flag this time after failing it in his first and only MotoGP race in 2019. The best driver in Mugello with 7 wins is still his mentor Valentino Rossi.

Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo): “I’m glad my contract for next season is already fixed. Now I can concentrate on this weekend’s task. Mugello is not the track I have been able to convince on so far. When Casey Stoner had its excellent season in 2007, I only started racing. To be now for the red factory drivers and to have my place safe for 2022 is of course great. The rookies from last year have not raced here either, it is definitely not easy for them. If you want to break the speed record of Zarco from Losail here, you should above all be careful not to catch Turn 1 afterwards. Johann also had a problem there after the long straight after his record.“

Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Gresini Racing Team): “I’m happy with the way things went, except for Le Mans, of course. We were eliminated there with a technical problem, which was a shame and a shame. Obviously we have problems in Mugello on this very long straight, but I still hope for a good result. Turn 1 is one of the most difficult parts for me, braking late here is perhaps our advantage, also because we are not as fast as the Ducati at top speed.“

Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT): “It is a special place for all fans because it has been one of the most important tracks for the Italian GP for 30 years. We’ll have to wait and see what the situation is like, but since Le Mans I’ve felt a lot better on the Yamaha again. The next 4 races are extremely important for my decision and that of the team in terms of continuing my career. San Donato, Turn 1 is one of the most difficult parts, I agree with Aleix, but it is also a very fast track otherwise. The track wasn’t particularly challenging for me with the small bikes, but when I got to the 500s it got very difficult here.“

Valentino Rossi and Johann Zarco at the Mugello press conference, the Yamaha and the Ducati drivers come here with completely different omens and the old master is definitely the underdog this time, after his bad start to the season before Le Mans.

>WSBK Estoril and MotoGP Mugello preview: see separate report on this page.

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