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As predicted, the Ducati proved to be the bike to beat starting from the inaugural round of the new MotoGP season, which took place last weekend in Qatar. A round that saw the Borgo Panigale manufacturer prevail over its rivals both in the Sprint race, won by Jorge Martin, and in the Sunday GP, where Francesco Bagnaia took the win, thanks to an aggressive strategy from the start. A show of strength that allowed Pecco to reach the top of the World Championship, reversing the fate of a weekend that didn't start in the best way for the rider from Piedmont, fifth in qualifying and fourth in the short race.
Gigi Dall'Igna's analysis
“A wonderful victory in an almost perfect race with an exceptional start. I’m not exaggerating: it deserves a round of applause. It was a very important statement not only because winning in the debut race means starting in the best possible way and giving a strong signal to ourselves and others, but above all because it is the result of a weekend that did not start well, or rather we should also say that it was a complicated start, resolved promptly and in the best possible way. A commendable team result - declared Gigi Dall'Igna, general manager of Ducati Corse, in his usual post-Grand Prix analysis - Pecco dominated the race with the authority of the Champion, he immediately set a pace that was unattainable for the others, a demonstration of strength just when it was needed."
There was also no shortage of positive feedback from Martinator, one of the great protagonists of the weekend despite some chattering problems, and from Marc Marquez, who was immediately fast and consistent on his race debut with the Desmosedici of the Gresini team.
“Martin and Marquez were also worthy of note. Jorge, combative as always, reiterated, immediately in qualifying and in the Sprint, but also on Sunday, all the stubbornness and speed that we know well and that we left behind at the end of the season: anyone who fights for the title will have to deal with him, that's for sure. Marc has already shown all his talent and class in his ability to adapt: he is already a formidable protagonist on a bike that is completely new to him, the first to finish among our 2023 bikes: the experience and desire of the Champion who wants to return to having his say, will make the difference in this new adventure” observed the Veneto engineer, who was also quite satisfied with Bastianini's weekend, 6th and 5th in the two races in Lusail. “Enea lacked a high note but it comforts me to see him fifth anyway with the points he needs to not miss the train of the best riders waiting to be the protagonist as he deserves”.
A triumphal round for Ducati, which placed six of its eight riders in the top seven positions of the Qatar GP. Dall'Igna, however, wants to keep his guard up, aware of the improvement shown by KTM and Aprilia already in the winter tests and of the pitfalls inherent in every event of this long season.
“Finally, a consideration: this weekend, between qualifying, Sprint and GP, demonstrated once again, without there being any need, how nothing is easy and taken for granted, much less already written, even when everything seems to indicate it - underlined the manager - Each race is a story in itself, there are many unknowns to deal with, especially in a challenge with fierce and competitive rivals who have improved a lot in recent months and it has been evident. It becomes essential not to let your guard down and never stop, with the commitment and work that give you the joy of victories like this."
