Ducati’s pre-season preparations could not be more different when compared to this time last year. Unlike the “disaster” of 2022 that saw them ditch their new engine just hours before the first Grand Prix of the season, there’s now total serenity surrounding the red part of the MotoGP™ paddock.
The Bologna factory managed to improve on their dominant showing at the opening test in Malaysia by having seven of their machines occupying the top eight places in Portugal rather than the top nine places we saw at Sepang.
“I'm very happy about everything” were World Champion Francesco Bagnaia’s final words before starting the season; an ominous statement for the rest of the field. But the Ducati Lenovo man is set to have some strong competition from the three men also riding GP23s in 2023.
BAGNAIA’S TO LOSE?
MotoGP™ Sprint is guaranteed to provide extra drama throughout the upcoming season with there now being 42 opportunities to add to your Championship tally from March to November. It could also mean that Bagnaia’s Achilles heel over recent seasons – unforced errors – could bite him harder than ever before. It’s true that the Italian was nothing short of imperious in the second half of last season in order to secure the premier class crown, but we also know that that was possible due to him finding the perfect rhythm on and off the bike.
Recent history tells us that the Italian isn’t the type of rider to be able to wrestle a far from perfect machine to podium success. A slight disruption to the serenity he currently finds himself in could be an opportunity for the chasing pack to pounce.
However, it’s pretty clear to everyone that the man with the number one plate is by far and away the favourite to start his title defence in the perfect way as he tries to become the first man to defend the crown with the famous single-digit since Mick Doohan back in 1998.
“Tests is one thing,” started Bagnaia on Sunday evening at the conclusion of pre-season. “The race weekend is totally another thing. So let's wait there. For sure all the work we did put us on a great level, so I'm very happy about everything, I'm very happy about the sprint race simulation, I'm very happy about the tyres, time attack. But then we have to check and we have to see during the race weekend.
“I don't like to say that one [rider] is the favourite during the test because you don't know the tyre that the rider was using, the work that someone was doing. Like Marc, he didn't do a time attack. So it's very difficult to know. For sure after this test, we can say that if the race will be tomorrow, we are ready to fight for the win. That is clear.”
RULE OUT THE BEAST AT YOUR PERIL
New team, new crew chief, new motorcycle. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Enea Bastianini has gone slightly under the radar throughout pre-season. The Italian has been acclimatising to his new surroundings as well as the 2023 Desmosedici, after seriously impressing with the 2021 package last season.
Fourth in Sepang and then sixth in Portimao isn’t too much to write home about, but The Beast has quietly gone about his work and overcome a few challenges along the way. His opening day in Portugal was a frustrating one with technical issues and a crash meaning he missed a large chunk of track time. But he turned it around on the second day to be hot on the heels of his new teammate.
Bastianini started his review of the final test by praising his new crew: “We did some modifications on the bike, which I felt were better. It was possible for me to push on the front. Yesterday, I was on the limit very early. I’m happy about the race pace, and also the time attack. I made only one, so that’s nice. We’re not on Pecco’s level, but not bad.”
JORGE MARTIN: THE LONE WOLF
After being snubbed for the factory seat, Jorge Martin was very clear in how he would tackle the remainder of 2022 and the upcoming season: he’s out for himself. As a possible move away from Ducati lingers in the background, Martin is ready to flex his muscles this year after an underwhelming sophomore campaign.
No time attack from the Prima Pramac Racing man is a strong indicator of the confidence he has heading into the new season: “It was a really positive test. In general, I felt super good with the bike. I felt quite confident and felt super strong. We didn’t make a time attack because I didn’t think it was necessary to put everything into today and take the risk. So, we keep this for Saturday in Portugal and the race.”
No time attack from the Prima Pramac Racing man is a strong indicator of the confidence he has heading into the new season: “It was a really positive test. In general, I felt super good with the bike. I felt quite confident and felt super strong. We didn’t make a time attack because I didn’t think it was necessary to put everything into today and take the risk. So, we keep this for Saturday in Portugal and the race.”
ZARCO’S TIME AT LAST?
France’s Johann Zarco was also singing the praises of Ducati’s new engine after also having to deal with the full 2022 spec throughout a challenging last campaign. 15th at the Sepang Test raised a few eyebrows with him being the only Ducati rider unable to break into the top ten, but second overall in Portimao has everyone asking the same question: is that MotoGP™ victory finally going to come?
21 opportunities would lead you to say yes. Surely 2023 is the year we finally see the backflip, especially when we could see the 32-year-old exercise some demons with a handful of Sprint victories before bagging the big one.
Mentality will be the key, though, admitted the Prima Pramac Racing man when asked if 2023 could be the year he finally breaks his duck: “The package is there. As I said I want to control even better the situation to have this opportunity and take it when it will come. But you have to stay really calm because it’s going super fast. That’s why controlling the situation is a key to win races.”