It was a disappointing Saturday afternoon for Team Gresini MotoGP, out of the battle for the top positions with both riders. Alex Marquez is ninth at the chequered flag and last rider in the points (also thanks to a penalty given to Marini during the last lap), while Fabio Di Giannantonio crashed out of the encounter after a few laps while trying a comeback.
 
The common (and negative) denominator for the riders #73 and #49 was the start. Both Gresini standard bearers lost four positions and were then forced to a comeback: this is not the ideal situation by any means, especially in a 13-lap race. The race pace is there, however, and so the ingredients to do a lot better tomorrow. The goal is a relaxed July and some smiley faces.

9^th ALEX MARQUEZ #73 
“Unfortunately, on the opening lap I had a first sector to forget. I got wrong everything I could get wrong from turns one to five and lost a lot of ground. We need something more feeling-wise, and we’ll work on that tomorrow during warm up. One point is better than nothing but it’s clear that we can and must aim at higher positions.”
 
DNF - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49
“We need to improve at the start, this is clear. I immediately lost several places, but in only one lap I had already passed four riders… I was behind Nakagami with the pace to bridge the gap with the group battling for the points, but while entering turn 11 I lost control of the bike and spun around. A pity, but it’ll be a whole different story tomorrow.”