Are you happy with the third place in Race 2?
I’m very, very happy with this podium, especially since I got it at Misano. A podium in the home race equals a victory, because you feel the warmth of the crowd, you feel their support. I think racing here is a wonderful experience for everyone, not just for the Italian riders.
Did you immediately notice that you were in the podium area?
I knew I was in third position because I saw Rinaldi crash. Initially I thought I was even second because it seemed to me that Toprak had also crashed, but then I saw that only Rinaldi had crashed and therefore that I was third. At that point I just tried not to make mistakes and take the podium home, also because I didn’t have much feeling with the front and I was running on eggshells.
Next is in Donington
In Donington I hope to pick up where we finished here in Misano. It certainly won’t be easy because many are going fast on that track, starting with Rea and Toprak, but we’ll try to do everything possible. It doesn’t seem like a circuit favorable to Ducati, but I felt good there last year and so I’m quite optimistic.
A few sparks with Rinaldi in the Superpole Race
“Or I made a completely normal overtaking, and he replied with an out of the ordinary overtaking, but …..it’s Michael…..he’s like that, and so it’s okay.
Given your friendship with Rea, what do you think if he were your teammate next year?
It would be beautiful. I have great respect for Jonny. He’s a very good guy and for me he’s a legend, the best rider in the history of World Superbike. I’m always happy to race against him and even more so when I can stay in front of him. If he were my teammate I would be really happy. I have so much to learn from him.
Do you think you can leave the Motocorsa Team even after a result like today’s?
If you want to fight for the world title you have to use a factory bike, that’s out of the question. However, there are many things that I will have to evaluate and therefore we will see what we decide to do later on”
