Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the ‘outsider’ who fought for podium positions during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Although on paper the Brazilian Grand Prix looked to be a resounding success for Aprilia, there are beliefs that Ducati have some positives to take from the second race of the season.
Francesco Bagnaia once again had a horrid weekend for the factory Ducati squad, but Fabio Di Giannantonio was able to take up the mantle and challenge at the front.
The Italian rider was able to finish second on Saturday in the Sprint Race after being beaten by Marc Marquez, before getting his own back on Sunday as he beat Marquez in a duel around Goiania.
At the end of the Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio secured his first Grand Prix and Sprint Race podiums of the 2026 season, after missing out at the opening round in Thailand.
Aprilia grab a 1-2 as Fabio Di Giannantonio beats Marc Marquez to the Brazilian GP podium 👏 but who was your Rider of the Race?
Fabio Di Giannantonio is ‘not afraid’ of Marc Marquez
After the Brazilian Grand Prix, Carlo Pernat discussed Ducati’s situation with GPOne and reacted to Di Giannantonio’s battle with Marquez during Sunday’s race.
The Italian believes that Di Giannantonio’s fight against Marquez showed that he is ‘not afraid’ of the nine-time world champion and was prepared to go head-to-head with him.
Pernat said, “Ducati officially has one rider, which is Marc Marquez, and a very strong outsider named Fabio Di Giannantonio.
“Yesterday, he fought well with Marquez even if Marquez was not right. But he fought well, overtook him again and showed he is not afraid. That is a good thing, which will make him grow.”
Marco Bezzecchi on top after two rounds 👀 Will he still be at the top by the end of the season, though? 🤔
Let us know in the comments below!
Fabio Di Giannantonio learnt how to beat Marc Marquez in the Sprint
After the delays to the Sprint Race on Saturday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio was locked in a battle with Marquez, but after Marquez passed Di Giannantonio he was unable to fight back.
In the end Marquez claimed victory over Di Giannantonio, and Michael Laverty insisted that Di Giannantonio was too cautious, as he said, “Where Digi was a little cautious on the last lap, and did not send it, Marc probably would have done.”
Heading into the Grand Prix on Sunday, Di Giannantonio was determined to get his own back on Marquez, as the Italian gained ideas on how to battle with Marquez after following him in the Sprint Race.
Following the Sprint Race, Di Giannantonio said, “I’m trying to work out how he does it, but it’s not easy. Let’s just say I’ve picked up a lot of ideas.”
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