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Category: Moto GP
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It was the first official outing for Team Gresini Racing MotoGP as well as the maiden outing for both Fabio Di Giannantonio and Enea Bastianini aboard the Ducati Desmosedici machine at the Sepang International Circuit.
If on paper it is true that Rome-born Di Giannantonio had a three-day shakedown available before this test, a debilitating gastroenteritis prevented him from taking to the track in two out of three days earlier this week. The #49 rider showed up at the track 2kgs lighter, but still left a positive mark in this day one while giving important indications regarding his stamina. He completed more than 40 laps (already more than the overall number of laps in the first test) and a quickest lap-time of 2’00.047s, more than two seconds quicker than the one logged few days go.
Enea Bastianini did not waste any time and after only 23 he recorded an extremely competitive lap-time (1’58.638), only two tenths away from today’s quickest time set by Espargaró. The lap came with a medium tyre option as Bastianini was the quickest Ducati rider and only three tenths shy of the track record.
4th - ENEA BASTIANINI #23 - (1’58.638s – 44 laps)
“After two tests, one at Jerez and another at Sepang, I have a clearer idea about my bike. After only one day in Malaysia, I’m more aware of the Desmosedici’s potential. It’s more stable and you can hit the brakes a lot later. With the new rear tyre on, I can open the throttle much more aggressively compared to the 2019 bike. With the new engine, Sepang becomes a fantastic circuit, one where I can push really hard.”
20th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 - (2’00.047s– 42 laps)
“The good news is that we’re back in shape. We needed it, because these past days have been tough. I’m quite happy with how today went: we lapped a lot and Sepang has always been a circuit that I like. It’s really crazy to lap here with the MotoGP: we had a good impression and we made quite a good step forward compared to few days ago. We’re working on the direction to follow together with Manuel (Poggiali) and my super team, as well as on some set-up changes to make.”
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The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/The Tourism and Creative Economy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian MOTCE) and Gresini Racing are delighted to announce a new exciting partnership as the Italian team becomes their ‘ambassador’ in the MotoGP World Championship.
The iconic Wonderful Indonesia logo will be displayed on the Ducati #23 and #49 of Bastianini and Diggia, precisely on the front wings where the design features a red-and-white colour combination right to honour the Indonesian flag.
Through this partnership, Indonesian MOTCE will put their “stamp” on the Gresini Racing MotoGP Team, which for more than 10 years has been tightly connected to some very important Indonesian brands through sponsorship programs and, by this means, also engaged with a very large share of the Indonesian fanbase.
This is a perfectly timed partnership, as the Gresini Racing Team and the whole MotoGP paddock are set to return to Indonesia for the first time in two decades. Hosting the event will be the Mandalika Street Circuit, a project developed by Indonesian MOTCE itself as part of a new international hub for leisure and tourism in the stunning Lombok Island.
SANDIAGA UNO – The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia
“The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia are very pleased with this collaboration that we are making with Gresini Racing. The collaboration that will be made between the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy with the Gresini Racing is expected to uplift Indonesia's tourism promotional activities that would increase the awareness of the Indonesian tourism and creative economy industry globally. Through the endorsement that the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will give to Gresini, I believed that exposing several Indonesian top brands at a global level would expand the reach of the brand market from a national to an international scale and contribute to the nation's pride #BanggaBuatanIndonesia.”
CARLO MERLINI – Gresini Racing’s Commercial & Marketing Director
“I’m very proud and honoured to announce this partnership. To have an important institution such as the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy endorsing the Gresini Racing’s activities is the best acknowledgement and reward for promoting several Indonesian sponsors on the global stage of the MotoGP World Championship, as well as engaging a very large number of local fans who see Gresini Racing MotoGP as the Team that represents their own nation. I would like to thank his Excellency the Minister Mr Sandiaga Uno and the Deputy Minister Deputy of Tourism Products and Events Mrs Rizki Handayani for such precious reward…I promise our total commitment to payback the trust and fly high the red-white flag all over the world”.
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Only 38 laps (best lap-time of 2’02.596s) for Fabio Di Giannantonio in the three-day test at Sepang for rookies and test riders. The Italian, whose progression was halted at the end of day one due to a gastroenteritis, was unable to return to the track and he is currently recovering ahead of the upcoming two-day test – again at the Sepang International Circuit – which will take place this Saturday and Sunday (February 5th and 6th).
HIS CURRENT FITNESS CONDITION. Provided that the rider underwent through all protocols/medical checks needed (both rapid and PCR tests were negative), here is the diagnosis by Dr Michele Zasa, Clinica Mobile’s manager. “Fabio has a simple gastroenteritis, with the symptoms appearing at the end of the opening day of testing. This is something quite common when we travel to the Southeast of Asia, but still led to high dehydration that doesn’t allow him to ride safely. As a precautionary measure, he rested for two days and hopefully he will back to 100% of his physical condition for the upcoming two days of testing. He is recovering already, but it will be important to monitor the situation in the next hours.”
THE TIME LOST. No need to highlight the importance of the test, especially for a rookie. Diggia’s track engineer Donatello Giovanotti had to basically redo the testing schedule for the rider #49. “The idea for these three days was to understand the bike, but especially the tyres. After a quite positive day – despite the small number of laps – in which we only used the medium-tyre option, the schedule also included a test with the other tyre option and a mini race simulation to understand the bike behaviour and all the electronic strategies. It will be difficult to recover the time lost in the next couple of test days at Sepang: we will try to make up for the time lost after day one, try the other tyre option and try a race situation, but obviously we won’t be able to concentrate on the electronics and setup.”
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A completely new project based on Fausto’s ideas, with a new partner like Ducati and two young Italian riders – in pure Gresini Racing’s style. This is – in few words – the project which can count on the support by UNIBAT, who is again Team Gresini’s official sponsor for 2022.
UNIBAT, a leading company in the production and distribution of extremely high-quality batteries, has chosen the front fairings of the Ducati machines #23 and #49 as well as Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio’s leathers and the team uniforms.
With the start of the season around the corner with the first official test in Malaysia, UNIBAT will make its debut on January 31st with Fabio Di Giannantonio’s Ducati in the rookie shakedown.
ALESSANDRO ANNOSCIA, CEO SAMAUTO SpA -
“It is quite an intense period for our company: 2022 will see the completion of the new factory for battery storage, which was made using the most innovative and green technologies. Overall, we will be available to customers with more than 12 thousand square meters of storage and with with a new logistic platform. The Unibat brand is all Italian, and the passion for the sport that links us to the MotoGP world is a historic one, so we must sponsor those who share our same values: Team Gresini. This team is entering a new chapter with a Ducati motorcycle, which is well-known to us, and we remember the many victories and huge emotions that they gave us through the years. We’re glad to be at heir side and we’ll root for the two youngster who grew up under Fausto’s wing: Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio. We are made of the same cloth: researching, trying hard, innovate until everything is perfect and above all… never give up! It’s a great challenge… and an all-Italian one! We’re officially proud to be Official Sponsor of Team Gresini Racing and… see you at the track!”
CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
“Our relationship with Alessandro and Unibat is a reference point of our premier class project. This is a partnership that has been lasting for a few years now and the goal is to keep growing. Unibat presence on our Ducati machines is surely an excellent starting point upon which we’ll build our 2022.”
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The Gresini Racing MotoGP project continues to grow and now can count on another ally joining its challenge in the premier class: OLI, from 2019 a partner of Gresini in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories, has decided to embrace the biggest project of the Faenza-based squad.
Starting from 2022 OLI, for over 30 years a leading company specialised in toilette cassettes and shower-drainage systems, will be one of the official sponsors of Team Gresini Racing MotoGP and its brand will be visible on both Ducati machines #23 and #49 as well as on Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio’s leathers and on the team uniforms.
This partnership between OLI and GR was born and developed quickly and all bodes well for a successful future.
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