Fabio di Giannantonio shares what MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has taught him at VR46, ‘it’s so cool’

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Fabio di Giannantonio has one of the most desirable seats in MotoGP right now. The Italian is riding a factory-spec Ducati bike at VR46.

Di Giannantonio made a low-key start to the 2025 season at the Thailand Grand Prix, though this was perhaps to be expected. He’d missed all but one day of pre-season testing after injuring himself performing a wheelie.

He had to retire from the Sprint race when his motorcycle started ‘burning’ in the searing temperatures. The 26-year-old did then manage to get points on the board on Sunday by finishing 10th.

Of the Ducati satellite riders, it was Alex Marquez who truly shone, finishing second in both events behind his brother but ahead of Francesco Bagnaia. Franco Morbidelli also outperformed teammate Di Giannantonio.

But Diggia should separate himself as the season progresses. VR46 have become the second-in-command team at Ducati after the departure of Pramac.

This is Di Giannantonio’s second year with VR46 after he started out at Gresini in 2022. His one and only victory to date came at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Fabio di Giannantonio on the riding tips he’s received from Valentino Rossi

Another perk of racing for VR46 is the mentorship of Valentino Rossi. Di Giannantonio has become a member of the MotoGP legend’s renowned academy.

Speaking to Crash, he welcomed the news that Rossi is set to attend more races in 2025. He believes it will give the team ‘extra motivation’.

The seven-time premier class champion has been helping Di Giannantonio both on and off the track. He’s mixed life lessons with riding tips.

“He’s a teacher in a natural way, let’s say,” Di Giannantonio explained. “Because when you spend some time with him, he teaches you in a normal way many, many things. Even about life. It’s so cool.

“For sure he already taught me some things last year about the bike, about how to ride it, about the strategy.

“If he’s coming more I will have even more opportunities to learn. So I would be pleased and glad to have him always with us. It would be a big, big push and an extra motivation for everybody.”

Valentino Rossi’s private instructions to VR46 MotoGP team revealed

One journalist says Rossi views his MotoGP team as a business. As long as they’re turning a profit, he doesn’t feel the need to get overly involved.

But that stance may be changing this season. Rossi is continuing his four-wheel career in the World Endurance Championship, but when he’s not racing, he plans to attend more MotoGP weekends.

According to Pablo Nieto, Rossi has told VR46 to ‘have fun’ this season. That sounds like a simple request, but enjoyment will be tied to success.

The sport heads to Argentina this weekend, the site of VR46’s first premier-class win in 2023. Marco Bezzecchi is responsible for all three of their victories so far.