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Neil Morrison: Is Fabio Di Giannantonio MotoGP’s most underrated rider?

By Neil Morrison |

Somewhere amid the crashes, controversy and anxious waits over riders’ health, a major MotoGP story took shape on Sunday. Fabio Di Giannantonio won his first race in 910 days, lifting himself in to title contention. Not for the first time in 2026, the Italian’s reliable excellence was somewhat overlooked.

On most normal Sundays, the headlines would have reflected the valour of his second ever win in the class. Yet the 27-year old was the first to acknowledge Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco’s wellbeing was of much greater importance.

One of Di Giannantonio’s most impressive feats was almost lost in the noise of those incidents, plus the clashes between Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez plus Ai Ogura and Pedro Acosta.

Recovering from a poor start, he fought through from fifth to reel in the lead KTM with just over two laps to play. The feat was all the more remarkable considering the Italian was the rider that came closest to being wiped out by the remnants of Marquez’s exploding Ducati on that terrifying run down to Turn 10 which was more aircraft wreckage than motorcycle race.

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6
2026
MotoGP
Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
Ducati
Fabio Di Giannantonio
CormacGP
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Comments

He’s my second favorite rider after Mir. He’s been so since prior to his Qatar breakthrough. I was checking out his Facebook page and became impressed by his thoughtfulness and maturity. I felt he was being treated unfairly by the public and wanted to understand him better. Glad I did. And so happy to see how far he’s come. Sometimes the good guys do come in first!

Big fan of Diggia, and glad to see him persevere. He's definitely had a movie-level redemption story since that Qatar victory. If that was written into something I was watching I might call it too saccharine to be believable, but when it happens in real life then it is something to be appreciated.

but I think you mean 'bellwether', the leader of the flock, with a bell around its neck so they can be readily located. Diggia has always seemed like an even mannered and personable rider. His concern for the injured in his moment of triumph speaks for itself.

Compare Digi's interviews after a rare win with our very own Jake Dixon's after his win at Silverstone, you would have thought Jake had won his fifth consecutive world championship from his antics. Digi was nearly gone, but he stayed in with a couple of phenomenal rides, and has blossomed in Vale's team. Where is Jake now in comparison.

Good luck to him with KTM, you only have a limited time to make big bucks, so when the chance comes, go for it. Your life will always be better for a nice wedge in the bank, and the chance to achieve more with factory backing is always there. KTM do not have a rider who can develop the bike, so maybe Digi can be that missing key for them.I hope so.

 

I'm not sure he's underrated. Was underrated yes. Most riders are underrated until they produce. When they don't produce, well they weren't underrated. He looks to be a very good rider. I'd put him right there with Alex Marquez. Capable of winning, usually not. With Marc injured, Pecco...somewhere, Alex injured, Fermin injured, and Franco being Franco, this could be a very good year for DiGi. If Aprilia blow hot and cold, it looks like DiGi might be the one to take advantage. When he was on his way out of the door, he produced the Qatar win, which saved him. He was very nearly out the door again last Sunday. He ducked his head down, and that left him a few inches from the big door. He'll have no better opportunity than now. 

and well spoken but a bit too cocky for what he's achieved so far.. He's nowhere near Acosta for talent, this we can all see but he's got 2 on the board.. 

This is deja vu.. Last year when Alex M was delivering, all the journos had this "did we underestimate him?" conversation.. 

Why can't we just have a year where everyone delivers like we know they can? 

I'd give up my left testicle for a year where we see the best of Marc v Jorge v Pecco v Bez v Acosta v Quartararo.