Bagnaia: Silverstone 2022 “one of the most beautiful victories of my MotoGP career”

66-points behind heading into last year’s British MotoGP, reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia returns to Silverstone holding a 35-point title advantage.
Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP race, British MotoGP, 7 August
Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP race, British MotoGP, 7 August

The factory Ducati star delivered “one of the most beautiful victories of my career” from fifth on the grid last season, gaining the momentum that would eventually take him to world chamꦦpionship glory.

This time he is very much the rider to beat, turning the page on early falls in🍒 Argentina, COTA and Le Mans to win half of the eight grands prix so far this season, 🐎plus three Sprint victories.

That has kept young lions Jorge Martin (1 GP win, 1 sprint win) and Marco Bezzecchi (2 GP wins, 1 sprint win) at bay, but as the satellite Ducati duo grow in confidence Bagn෴aia knows he can’t afford to throw any more points away.

"It was a good summer break: I was able to rest but also dedicate myself to my training program, and I had a lot of fun on track, on several occasions, with my Panigale V4S together with the other Ducati riders,” Bagnaia said. “It is time to start again, and I am happy about 🍬that."

The Italian, who held off Maverick Vinales and team-mate Jack Miller by just 0.6s at the end of last year's race, added: "Last year at Silverstone, I scored one of the most beautiful victories♔ of my career in a weekend that did not start immediately in the best way,

“This🐻 year's goal will be to get off on th🀅e right foot immediately and, above all, try to bring home more important points for the overall standings."

Team-mate Enea Bastianini was among the riders to use the summer break to rebuild physical fi👍tness from earlier injuries, in🔯 his case a fractured shoulder at Portimao.

Bastianini was a best of eighth in the three rounds leading up to the break but is now looking to step up a level and return to his 2022 form – which included a fighting fourth place, just 1.651s from victory, at Silverstone last yea𝓰r.

"I am happy to be back on track finally! During these five weeks, I rested but also worked hard to return as ready as possible for this second part o𝄹f the season,” Bastianin𓃲i said.

“Silverstone is one of my favourite tracks, so the goal will be to get a good result and fight for the podium. It will not be easy, and the w✤eather is always unpredictable in England, but we will do our best, as always."

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story an🌱d Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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