The MotoGP ‘rider coach’ who departed Gresini just as Marc Marquez arrived.
Manuel Poggiali quit his position as Gresini rider coach just as Marc Marquez joined the team. Poggiali passed up an opportunity that many would relish: to oversee Marquez’s debut year on a Ducati.
He has instead joined the factory Ducati squad as their rider coach. Poggiali claims he was not tempted to ignore or postpone the factory team’s invitation in favor of working with Marquez. “Honestly, when the call came – I underline, unexpected, because I was very focused on the work at the time – from Gigi Dall’Igna, who I have known since the days of Aprilia, even without having worked together, someone who I respect, who everyone knows, who has charisma, it was difficult for me not to jump on that train that called me,” Poggiali said in an interview with Sky.
Poggiali is a two-time world champion rider who now plays a lesser-known role in MotoGP. He characterized the role of a rider coach: “In my case, operating from the side of the track, I attempt to see what the most essential key concerns are for our riders and better comprehend what is going on. “In part, you go where they tell you there are challenges or intriguing things to view.
“Working from home also contributes significantly. “Every rider is unique; he has his own background, traits, difficulties, and strong points. “On a circuit where a driver has never won or has always struggled, it is likely to be one of the most tough, so I try to monitor what happens in order to find suggestions, ideas, and new approaches to improve performance. “Together we analyse with the support of the whole team and we try to find the solution to optimise everything as much as possible.”
Poggiali will collaborate with Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini this year.
He helped Fabio di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez last season at Gresini. Despite losing his bike to Marc Marquez, Di Giannantonio demonstrated excellent late-2023 form. “Fabio has always had great qualities,” Poggiali stated. “MotoGP is the most tough and complex division in the World Championship. “His journey may have been a little longer than others’, but that is part of the game.
“The first year of MotoGP was difficult for everyone, with only a few exceptions, notwithstanding his pole position at Mugello. “It was a journey that helped him mature, grasp what to do on the track, and manage a variety of elements, including tyres, asphalt, and tracks… “I wish him the best of luck with the VR46 team because I adore him: he won the first Moto3 race with me as coach in 2018 in Brno, and I was fortunate to be alongside him in the first Moto2 victory in Jerez 2021 and last year in MotoGP in Qatar.” “As his ‘track’ reference, I’ve followed him almost his whole world championship career.
“I have a special relationship with him, I wish him the best.”