Fabio di Giannantonio felt capable of attacking the leading Aprilias before a dramatic loss of rear grip forced him into \u201csurvival mode\u201d in the Silverstone MotoGP Sprint.<\/p>\n
Fabio di Giannantonio felt he could take the fight to the race-leading Aprilias during the early stages of the Silverstone MotoGP Sprint.<\/p>\n
The VR46 rider held third place, behind only Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura.<\/p>\n
However, like fellow Ducati riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, di Giannantonio then suffered a massive loss of rear grip, leaving him in \u201csurvival mode\u201d for the remainder of the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy rhythm was really good at the beginning. My feeling was really good. I thought that I could have something more compared to the two guys in the front. For this, I was trying to overtake Ai,\u201d di Giannantonio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut then after the fourth lap I started to lose the rear in the entry to the corners. So it was really difficult then to manage the situation, and I went into survival mode. A pity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The future factory KTM rider added: \u201cI knew that we would have a drop. But not like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially because at the beginning I was pushing hard, but not that hard to feel that I was destroying the tyres.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually I'm one of the best riders to keep the tyres. So it got me, honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Italian lost out to the factory Aprilia of Marco Bezzecchi and then Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez to finish fifth.<\/p>\n
Alex, the leading Desmosedici rider, was almost seven seconds behind race winner Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex was much better than us, because he was in front of me at the end. It means that I could do a better job,\u201d di Giannantonio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for sure, as Ducati, we need to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI continue to say this from the beginning of the year. I continue to say that Aprilias are doing a better job than us. So we must improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Exactly what Ducati needs is unclear, but di Giannantonio says the key to Aprilia\u2019s tyre management seems to be related to corner entry.<\/p>\n