Fabio Di Giannantonio’s 2024 MotoGP season presented a blend of highs and lows, but the Italian rider remains positive, considering it to be a solid year overall. Despite a series of challenges, Di Giannantonio’s consistency and resilience earned him the respect of fans and competitors alike, laying a strong foundation for his future in the sport.
The 2024 season began on a somewhat uncertain note for Di Giannantonio. Having secured a memorable victory in Qatar and a podium finish in Valencia at the close of 2023, the latter was unfortunately taken away due to a tyre pressure violation. Before these strong results, Di Giannantonio’s position in the championship seemed insecure, leaving many wondering about his future in MotoGP. However, these performances were enough to secure a ride with the prestigious VR46 Ducati team for the 2024 season, alongside Marco Bezzecchi, a move that would shape the trajectory of his career.
While it was Bezzecchi who took the team’s only podium of the season, Di Giannantonio’s performance was far from lackluster. He showcased remarkable consistency throughout the first half of the season, regularly finishing between fourth and seventh place in almost every race, a testament to his steady progress and commitment. His strong results included two fourth-place finishes in Australia and Thailand, proving that Di Giannantonio was competitive across a range of circuits.
Unfortunately, his season took a downturn after a crash in Austria during practice, which resulted in a shoulder injury. As a result, Di Giannantonio was forced to withdraw from the race at the Red Bull Ring. Medical assessments later revealed that surgery was necessary, and it was decided that the best course of action would be to end his season early, giving him the best chance to recover in time for the 2025 campaign. The decision to prioritize his long-term health was a difficult but necessary one, reflecting a mature approach to his career.
Despite the early end to his season, Di Giannantonio’s performances throughout the year were enough to secure him a factory-spec Ducati Desmosedici GP25 for 2025. This is a significant achievement, as he becomes the only satellite rider to have access to a bike of the same specification as those used by Ducati’s factory riders, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. This is a clear indication of his potential and growth as a rider within the highly competitive MotoGP grid.
In reflecting on his 2024 season, Di Giannantonio shared his thoughts with fans in a video posted by the VR46 Ducati team on social media. “I’m going to give myself an 8/10 for the season,” he stated. “I think my level of riding this year has been quite high. I’ve been really strong and consistent throughout the season. But we always missed something to be on the podium, so 8/10.”
Looking back on his highlights, Di Giannantonio pointed to his performance at Phillip Island as his standout moment. “Phillip Island, P4, because we gave a great show,” he recalled. “We were really fast, we had a strong pace, and we were really close to being on the podium.” His performance at the Australian Grand Prix demonstrated not only his riding ability but also his potential to challenge for higher positions in the future.
As Di Giannantonio looks ahead to 2025, his consistent results and determination to overcome obstacles set the stage for an exciting year. With a factory-spec Ducati at his disposal and the backing of the VR46 Ducati team, he will be aiming to build on his 2024 progress and challenge for podiums on a regular basis. The 2024 season, while a mixed bag, was undoubtedly a solid foundation for a promising future in MotoGP.
