Pecco Bagnaia, cover man, describes the strength of Valentino Rossi

Pecco Bagnaia describes the strength of Valentino Rossi

Francesco Bagnaia has been chosen by Icon, the men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine edited by Andrea Tenerani, as the cover star of the new issue of Icon Wheels, the spin-off dedicated to the world of motors and future mobility.

A special issue of more than 200 pages, entitled “80 wheels in motion,” will give voice to the protagonists of two and four wheels with the presentation of the latest news and trends and more than 14 new car models, to which the second cover of the issue is dedicated.

A native of Turin, last season’s vice champion grew up in Valentino Rossi’s Academy, of which he is still a member. And speaking of Valentino, who became his mentor and teacher, in the exclusive interview in the pages of the magazine Bagnaia confides, “He impressed me a lot with his mental strength, determination, knowledge of anything and patience in explanations.”

Accomplicated by his father and uncle who are passionate about two wheels, at not even 6 years old Bagnaia was already mounting a saddle, and from there on he never got off, despite the sacrifices, starting with life as a “normal” boy, impractical for a globetrotter like him. “The only one that costs me dearly concerns the family, we are very close. It makes up for the lack my sister Carola, 20 months older: my assistant and media manager since 2017, she never leaves me and helps me feel at home even in the paddock. The royalties for the nickname “Pecco” are hers: she used to call me that as a child,” she tells Icon Wheels.