“Since the start of the season, it’s to give the maximum race after race. We’ve already seen that we can fight for positions right at the top of the standings.” That he has, although other than Francesco Bagnaia – his friend, training partner at VR46 and flatmate – he knows there will be some serious opposition. The list is first some usual suspects in the intermediate class: “Marquez for sure, he’s fast and he’s always there. Oliveira, who is maybe more consistent. And we can’t count out Pasini, who is a very strong rider with a lot of experience, who is part of our group and trains with us at the ranch. A known adversary!”