MotoGP | Dall'Igna: “Enea lacked the determination we expect”

Six Ducatis in the top ten positions on the starting grid, 50% of the top 10 in the Sprint made up of Desmosedicis, and another six Reds occupying the top ten places in Sunday's race: these are just some of the most banal numbers of the Grand Prix of Qatar, the ones that catch your eye when scrolling through the rankings. Added to these are Jorge Martin's dominance in the Sprint and Pecco Bagnaia's show of strength in the GP, as well as Marc Marquez's explosive debut.

Ducati has reaffirmed its strength in the current MotoGP, starting again in 2024 where it ended last season: ahead of everyone. The adversaries have grown, of course, but the hegemony is still present and important. Gigi Dall'Igna, who draws up this year's first budget, can't help but smile when he looks at the results of the work not just of one winter, but of many years.

We start with the reigning world champion, who is hunting for his third consecutive title and begins his defense in the best way possible: by triumphing. Bagnaia started the weekend on an uphill climb, but, as we are used to by now, he was able to climb back up to lead the Sunday race with an imperious triumph. “Stunning victory in a perfect race, with a start that can be described as exceptional,” declared Dall'Igna. “Without exaggeration, really: chapeau! An important achievement, not only because winning on debut means starting in the best possible way, but because first of all it is the result of a weekend that did not start well at all: let's say that the start was complicated, resolved quickly in the best way possible”.

“Pecco dominated the race with the authority of a Champion, immediately setting a pace that was impossible for the others to reach, a show of extreme strength just when it was needed”. However, Enea Bastianini, who triumphed in Lusail two years ago, was missing. On the Qatari track he had shown an excellent feeling with the GP24 during the tests, but the good sensations did not materialize in the race weekend: “Enea lacked the determination that was expected, however it is comforting to see him in fifth position, gaining the points necessary to stay with the best, while waiting to return to being the protagonist he deserves.”

Reaffirming yourself in today's MotoGP is not easy, although Ducati is the dominant brand, it has to deal with tough opponents who make the grid rather balanced. Eight Desmosedicis on the track can be an advantage, but also a greater difficulty factor for the “Reds”, who have to fight internal battles.

We saw it last year, when Bagnaia defended the title against a very aggressive Jorge Martin who took the fight to the world championship until the last race, in Valencia. Very fast and effective, the Spaniard from the Pramac team has not lost his luster during the winter and in Qatar he showed his claws, once again proving to be very strong on the flying lap (with pole position) and on the short distance (winning the Sprint) .

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Not just Martin, another rider has arrived in Ducati who needs no introduction. The eight world titles speak for him. Marc Marquez is still familiarizing himself with the Desmosedici (he has last year's version), but the adventure seems to have started off on the right foot: fifth in the Sprint and fourth in the GP, the Catalan came close to the podium on his debut and now it really seems a matter of time before he can return to the top.

“Significant peaks also for Martin and Marquez,” reflects Dall'Igna. “Jorge, more combative than ever, reaffirmed his strength by starting from Pole position and winning the Sprint. But also on Sunday he showed all the grit and speed that we know and with which he finished last season: whoever fights for the title will have to deal with him, that's for sure. Marc has already shown all his talent and his class through an innate ability to adapt: ​​he is already a fearsome rider on a completely new bike for him, the first 2023 Ducati to take the checkered flag. The experience and desire of a Champion who wants to have his say again will make the difference in this new adventure”.

Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

All easy, then. Not at all. This is confirmed by Dall'Igna, who reminds us that Ducati's dominance must not be misleading, because the competitiveness of the current MotoGP does not allow us to lower our guard even for a moment. The unexpected is around the corner and all the results that arrive are the result of hard work: “Finally, a consideration: this weekend, between qualifying, Sprint and GP, has demonstrated again, without it being necessary, how nothing is easy or predictable, even less obvious even when everything seems to be going in one direction.”

“Each race is a story in itself. There are many unknowns, moreover in a challenge with tough and competitive opponents who have grown a lot in recent months, as they have amply demonstrated. Not letting our guard down and not giving up becomes fundamental, with commitment and effort that can reward us with victories like the one we have just achieved”, concludes the General Director of Ducati Corse.