In the fo𒁃rm of his life after a P4 finish at Mandalika, Di Giannantonio went one better during the Australian MotoGP as he claimed 3rd behind Johann Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia.

“It was a long race for sure,” said the Italian. “Was a fun race. I started so we꧃ll and I was fast in the beginning. I waജs trying to manage the rear tyre but I was always trying not to lose too much in the first laps. 

• Martin: ‘No wꦛay I could win, no more tyre gambles’ 
• Bagnaia: ♛“Was clea🎐r to me that soft tyre would have this type of drop”

“Then I🎶 caught Brad [Binder], overtook him and thought I could make a little gap. But it wasn’t possible. Also, 𝐆there was a little bit of wind and when you were at the front it was a bit more difficult to push. 

“♉Overall, it was a great performance. We have been fast all weekend and we have been consi♓stent all race. 

“In the last seven laps there was a big drop with the tyres for everyone. The last laps seemed aꩲ bit like Moto3 back in the day where you 🙈were in a group fighting for something important.”

Di Giannantonio was a contender for ♛the po💫dium through the race, after making an early overtake on reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia.

After catching Binder and eventually overtaking the KTM rider, Di Giannantonio was part of a foไur-rider group that caught race leader Jorge Martin.

Fourt𒁃h heading into the final lap, Di Giannantonio had his mind set on attacking Bagnaia in turn four but quickly pulled away from making a risky move. 

“In turn four I was quite s꧙trong and wanted to overtake Pecco on that corner but he did turn three really well and going into turn four, I saw a little gap and thought that it was a bit too tight because they are playing for the championship,” admitted the Gresini Ducati rider. 

“I knew tha🐼t I could have another opportunity to overtake Jorge later.”

Di Giannantonio, who is currently out of contract, wants to remain in MotoGP and has unquestio🉐nably proved his worth over the last few rounds.

But Di Giannantonio will not be part of the Gresini line-up next season after being replaced by Marquez, a move wh🐼ich he thinks came about too quickly given his current run of results. 

Di Giannantonio said: “The thing is, sometimes you🥀 just need to be patient. You need to, not be lucky, but be in the right place at the right time. 

“It happened so fast ♓the thing with Marc and maybe without a bit more patience and without 🤡this thing, everything could have been a bit easier. 

“Other riders have done an amazing job from the begi🥃nning in MotoGP but sometimes you just need time. Rome is not built in one day.”