Laverty on Pecco’s masterclass
BT Sport’s Michael Laverty analyses just how Bagnaia took win number two
Fast starter
Pecco’s start was his best of the season, beating Jack Miller to Turn 1 on an identical machine takes some doing. Pecco’s game plan to go from the lights had him on edge, his reactions heightened, almost to the point of costing him the race – on analysis it wasn’t a jump start. It was close to perfection though, bordering on the intuitive.
Stunning first lap
Pecco’s ability to break the pack immediately off the start is something we don’t often see in MotoGP, largely down to the tyres as it takes a few corners, often a full lap, before they reach optimum temperature. There was undoubtedly an element of risk involved in his strategy to bolt from the lights, knowing that closest rival, Fabio Quartararo, was on the medium rear, his best chance to manage the softer option throughout the race was to gain an immediate advantage.
Metronomic consistency
Pecco’s rhythm reminds me of Jorge Lorenzo at his best: Metronomic, with a seemingly effortless style. Many laps of practice around Misano on his V4 Panigale instilled his confidence, Bagnaia was out in front, with a home crowd behind him willing him on, feeling like it was just another day of training.
Tyre management
The left side of his rear tyre took a hammering. The torn left side of the Michelin will have upset his corner entry speed as that causes a lot of rear float approaching max lean angle. The knock-on effect is less turning, being later on the throttle and ultimately a slower lap time. Despite having a rear tyre that would feel inconsistent from left to right, Pecco not only didn’t make a single mistake, he dug deep to produce the final lap of his life to secure victory.
Managing pressure
Knowing that Quatararo had a rear tyre which should provide more grip in the dying stages would make most riders begin to tighten up, but Pecco looked as relaxed on the final lap as he did on the first. Late on the brakes, with flowing lines, most importantly ultra-fast and precise through the triple right hand bends following the back straight to put himself out of range for an over take into Turn 14. Setting his best third sector of the race on that final lap shows how cool he is under pressure.