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Last weekend at the Circuit of the Americas was yet another weekend tinged with the colors of Italy. In a round dominated by Viñales, the Ducatis didn't act as stand-ins, giving life to intense duels for the podium. All-in-all, it was a positive GP for the red armada, thanks to the 3rd place conquered by Enea Bastianini on Sunday. A result with which the rider from Rimini hoisted himself up to the 2nd place in the standings, 21 points behind the leader, Jorge Martin, who did well in limiting the damage on a demanding track like the American one.
But, like in Portimão, not all of the Borgo Panigale riders managed to shine, starting right from the reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia, who didn't leave his mark in either of the two races held on Texan soil. Lights and shadows that were also highlighted by Ducati Corse's General Manager, Gigi Dall'Igna, during one of his usual analyses.
Gigi Dall'Igna's analysis
"It was a long and gripping race. Lively and vibrant, on a track that is very demanding, on a physical level. Many duels and lots of overtakings in which we were role players in a no-holds-barred fight marked by intervals of lights and shadows. This was an important podium for Enea, confirming that he's one of the key figures on the track, race after race, with a constancy that he's gradually regaining. His was the first Ducati under the checkered flag, with a finish that reached a crescendo after an uncertain start, placing him second in the World Championship. What he needed was more continuity. This is another essential step in the right direction," the engineer from Veneto emphasized before moving onto the weekend's less positive notes.
"Instead, Pecco's test had an entirely different flavor. Unlike Enea, he had a good start in the first third of the race, but then his pace became less effective, so he had to defend himself and bring home a fifth place, which certainly couldn't have satisfied him. A very meager haul between tthe Sprint and GP, with no podium, and a weekend to forget, while keeping the upcoming challenge in mind," Dall'Igna stated, far more impressed by the Grand Prix disputed by the eldest of the Marquez brothers: "Even though he fell, Marc Marc performed extraordinarily in the race, also taking the lead, and this says a lot about his skill and experience, as well as his determination and enthusiasm. The weekend wasn't particularly good for Jorge either, but he managed to secure some valuable points that keep him at the top of the World Championship standings."
Between Viñales who was in a state of grace, and Pedro Acosta in continuous ascent, the rivals have sharpened their knives, but Ducati isn't just standing on the sidelines. They're ready to field Pirro and his test team, in order to get to the next championship rounds in an even more battling and high-performing manner.
"The championship is long and difficult, and everyone will definitely face up and downhill stretches. We have to work hard to give our riders a chance to express themselves at their best. That's why the next test with Michele in Barcelona will be very important. We'll be testing some changes to the bike's set-up, which will then be reconfirmed with the factory riders during the tests scheduled for the day following the Jerez Grand Prix." The manager then added. "Congratulations to our opponents. Fast and very talented riders. This will prove to be a wide-open challenge for a world championship duel that promises to be even more exciting and interesting. And so it will be, until the last corner."
