RiderTua.com – In MotoGP 2024, Ducati gave a strong warning to its rivals. “The performance shown by the Ducati riders in the pre-season test is a strong warning to their rivals,” stressed Simon Crafar (a former rider who is currently a broadcaster).
As is known, Pecco Bagnaia was the fastest in the pre-season test in Qatar. The two-time consecutive World Champion managed to break the lap record at Sepang and Qatar this year. Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin took turns being second fastest, a very unpleasant sight for their rivals, as the season prepares to start.
MotoGP 2024 : Ducati’s Strong Warning to Its Rivals
Simon Crafar added: “I think it went quite perfectly, from their point of view. I wanted to confirm Davide Tardozzi but that was unnecessary, because we can see that they were right on target. Everything they tested worked.”
“It probably needs a little practice. Electronic settings, new engine, new aero, new exhaust, everything is there. Pecco set (the lap record) and the whole paddock said ‘wow!’ “That was 0.6 seconds faster than anyone else at the time. Many riders were pushing hard to close that gap.”
“Both GP23s got very good feedback from the riders. They have made good progress. They feel comfortable. The GP24 riders are all happy. They said ‘the rear grip is a little better’ even though the other riders said the opposite,” he added.
Factory riders Bagnaia and Bastianini, plus Pramac’s Martin and Franco Morbidelli (who missed pre-season through injury) will ride the GP24 this year. Gresini’s Marc and Alex Marquez, as well as VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, will ride the GP23.
Crafar explained, “The Ducati looked very dangerous. Tardozzi said ‘everything is going well but we remain firm because we leave, the car racing is going on here, we come back and the track conditions will be different so we start all over again’. He is a very experienced guy . He has won many world championships as a team manager. And he is right. They are in an extraordinary position.”
Francesco Bagnaia’s victory in the 2022 MotoGP world championship ended 15 years without a win for the Italian manufacturer from Borgo Panigale. Then the Reds repeated this feat last year, in a season that was again dominated by Ducati with 3 riders competing for the championship title.
Marc Marquez’s entry into the squad is an additional stumbling block that Aprilia, KTM, Honda and Yamaha must overcome.
