Di Giannantonio scores brilliant maiden podium with 3rd in #AustralianGP, Marquez 9th

The maiden podium finish had been in the air for quite some time and what better stage than Phillip Island to achieve it. Fabio Di Giannantonio puts the exclamation mark on an already brilliant second half of the season with a fantastic third place in Australia.

After a rocket start, he brilliantly managed the race while making precise overtaking manoeuvres and having no fear on the last lap: it looked like a page taken from the manual of the perfect rider. Today’s sixteen points bring the Italian up to twelfth place in the standings, right behind his teammate.

It was a great race also for Alex Marquez, who was aiming at making it to the finish line – but then even had a shot at finishing sixth. His physical condition is improving, and ninth place surely bodes well for the final events of the season!

3rd – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO

I had an incredible start, maybe my best ever. I always have fun at this track and it was a fantastic race. I knew I was competitive but I honestly not as much as I ended up being! I had a great pace: I managed to battle with the top riders and then the last lap was incredible. It’s a podium we deserved, yet I still have to fully realise what happened…

9th – ALEX MARQUEZ

Physically speaking it has been a challenging race, but that’s what I was expecting. I tried to stay calm and focused, while always trying to stay behind some other rider. I was in the battle for the top six at some point, but I had no energy left to attack. Ninth is surely a good result especially considering that yesterday I didn’t know if I would have finished the race or not. Tomorrow’s sprint race will surely be ‘easier’, physically speaking.