Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo team, second in the riders’ world championship, participated in the press conference on Thursday of the Japanese Grand Prix, sixteenth stage of the 2024 MotoGP world calendar. Below are his statements.
Two-man race
“Since the beginning of the year, the two of us have been making a difference compared to the others. However, Aeneas and Marc must be taken into consideration until mathematics says otherwise. Since mid-year, however, Jorge and I have been at the front in all the races and sessions and I think it will be like this until Valencia.”
Beat Martin
“For me it’s nice to fight with Jorge, we’ve always had fair fights and there’s always been mutual respect. It will be like this this year too. It will be nice to have a battle on track before the end of the year. The best will win, Jorge was more consistent than me. We need to take a step forward in terms of performance, because we were missing a little something. I’m happy to be here with Jorge, he’s extremely strong.”
Expectations for Motegi
“Considering the track and Jorge’s performance in Mandalika, we have to take last weekend in a positive light. Earning 3 points was good. Motegi for me is better than Mandalika, I feel good. The weather may be different, in qualifying and it could rain on Sunday.”
A fight between 2 or more drivers
“I don’t care how many there are, I just want to be in the lead and nothing changes me. This track is good for us, like Thailand and Malaysia. Then Jorge will be strong in Australia. But I think we will have similar performance, but swe are forced to do better than him, while he can now control the situation.”
Unknown weather
“It will be important to be ready, last year in a flag to flag we finished first and second. There is emotion and adrenaline, it is as difficult as it is beautiful.”
Marquez bets on Martin, Bastianini on Pecco
“Italians go with Italians, Spaniards with Spaniards.”
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