Fabio Di Giannantonio admits he is “not a kamikaze rider” in MotoGP, but insisted he will be “aggressive when necessary” after a poor start in Portugal last weekend (7-9 November).
Di Giannantonio was one of the riders who fell back significantly at the start of the race at Portimao after being wedged by riders in front and on the outside, dropping from 9th on the grid to 14th after just a few corners.
The Italian explained that this was not due to a lack of aggression, but rather an unwillingness to adopt a “champagne or gravel” approach.
“I’m not saying I don’t have the balls to be aggressive, I just don’t have the balls to be kamikaze,” Fabio Di Giannantonio said ahead of the Valencia MotoGP.
“That’s not true.
“For sure, aggressiveness is part of this sport and I’m an aggressive rider when I have to be. Like in the Saturday sprint in Portugal, I had a super start and I think I was already sixth within three corners.”
“So, I’m aggressive when I need to be aggressive, but certainly I’m not a kamikaze rider. I’m certainly not a ‘champagne or gravel’ rider either. ”
He believes that the “kamikaze” characteristics that Di Giannantonio referred to are not yet at their peak.
“When the Sprint arrived, everyone was very optimistic about the start of the Sprint because everyone thought it would be really small,” said the VR46 Racing Team rider.
“I think everyone is calmer and more rational now.”