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| Fabio Di Giannantonio Shines with VR46: Rossi’s Mentorship Powers His MotoGP Breakthrough. |
Fabio Di Giannantonio finally tasted the sweet success of a MotoGP podium at his home race in Mugello — and what made it even more meaningful was doing it under the banner of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team.
In front of an electrifying Italian crowd, Diggia claimed third place at the Italian Grand Prix, outpacing factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia. It was only his second career MotoGP podium (after COTA), but this one hit differently — it was in Italy, with “The Doctor” watching from the sidelines.
“It was incredible to get on the podium at Mugello — in front of my family, my people, my home fans. That moment felt like a big return to form,” Di Giannantonio said.
Rossi’s Presence: Motivation, Not Pressure
Having the legendary Valentino Rossi as team boss is something special. For Diggia, Rossi isn’t just a name; he’s a presence — a mentor who brings clarity and confidence into the garage.
“Vale’s energy was everywhere that weekend. It felt different. I didn’t throw a big party because he had to go back to his kids! But being able to give him this kind of result was really emotional,” he said.
In the past, Diggia admitted he tended to underperform whenever Rossi was around. But this time, things clicked — finally a podium to share with the nine-time world champion.
“He doesn’t put pressure on me. He helps. He shares so much knowledge, and the best thing about him? He makes everything feel easy. When someone gives you that mindset, everything becomes smoother, faster, cleaner. That’s a massive advantage.”
Di Giannantonio’s Best MotoGP Season Yet
The 2025 season is shaping up to be Diggia’s strongest in MotoGP. After 10 rounds, he sits fifth in the standings with 136 points, and already has three podium finishes: COTA, Mugello, and a sprint race at Silverstone.
However, qualifying remains a weak spot. Across 10 rounds, he only managed one front-row start — second place in COTA — and two second-row starts in Argentina and Qatar.
Di Giannantonio explained that he and his team have focused heavily on building a race bike that excels in the middle and end of races — where tire management becomes crucial. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of qualifying speed.
“I’m really good at managing tires. We’ve worked hard to make the bike strong in the second half of races. But when you go in that direction, you lose out on the time attack performance in qualifying,” he explained.
Now the goal is to find a balance — a setup that’s fast on Saturdays and durable on Sundays.
Riding the Ducati GP25 — Factory Power, But Close Competition
Di Giannantonio is currently riding the Ducati GP25, the latest-spec MotoGP bike from the Italian manufacturer, alongside top-tier names like Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. But despite the prestige, Diggia insists that the gap between the GP25 and the GP24 — used by fellow VR46 teammate Franco Morbidelli and the Gresini riders — is minimal.
“The difference between the GP25 and last year’s GP24 is almost zero. Ducati is working hard to bring updates and keep ahead of rivals, but right now, it feels like we have six factory riders on the grid,” he said.
“Having a factory bike doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get on the podium. The level is so high, everyone is fast.”
Rocky Start to 2025, But Diggia Keeps Pushing
Diggia’s 2025 season didn’t start smoothly. After recovering from an injury late last year, he suffered another setback during pre-season testing in Sepang when a wheelie went wrong on the first day. Thankfully, he bounced back in time for the opening round in Thailand, finishing 10th in Buriram.
“It’s been a crazy start to the season. I came in carrying an injury, and we lost our way a bit with the bike setup. It hasn’t been a straight path, but we’re grinding and finding our way back,” he said.
GP25 Is the Best Bike He’s Ever Ridden
Despite some issues — particularly a recurring front-end “filter” problem that even Bagnaia has complained about — Di Giannantonio is confident in the GP25’s overall potential. Jumping directly from the GP23 to the GP25, he noticed an immediate performance boost.
“The GP25 is the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, I was still faster than I ever was on the GP23,” he said confidently.
Can Diggia Be MotoGP’s Next Big Contender?
Fabio Di Giannantonio is entering a new phase in his MotoGP career. With strong support from the VR46 team, valuable guidance from Valentino Rossi, and the horsepower of Ducati’s latest machinery, he’s proving he can fight at the front. If he manages to sort out qualifying, the top step of the podium might just be next.