Speaking to French publication Paddock GP, IRTA President Herve Poncharal has responded to quotes from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suggesting there should be a “bigger gap” between factory and Independent Team bikes.
“What I think about it is that, often on Sunday evening when I go home before going to bed, I have not lived enough MotoGP, so I read everything that is written on all the national and international websites, and I came across an Italian website where there was an interview with Pecco Bagnaia who was talking a little bit about his problem with Maverick Viñales,” said the vastly experienced Poncharal, who also heads up GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 in MotoGP™ and Red Bull KTM Tech3 in Moto3™.
“And then I was reading like that and I was very surprised from the reigning World Champion, from someone who is respectable, I have a lot of respect and admiration for him, and he is always quite calm in his comments, to read an enormous thing, I could even say huge bullshit, because Pecco Bagnaia, like any rider, comes from Moto3, he went through Moto2, he arrived in MotoGP in an Independent Team that you can call private or satellite.
“You can call it whatever you want, and he was happy to have a high performance bike that allowed him to be noticed. And then, as he progressed in the MotoGP class, he was offered a factory ride, which is kind of the dream ride that every talented rider wants to have.
“And what was my surprise, when he benefited from this system, he could have powerful bikes in Independent structures, to read that it would be good that there are six or seven tenths per lap decided by the engineers of the manufacturers who are present on the MotoGP grid.
“Therefore, the bikes of the private teams are deprived of six or seven tenths per lap. That's about the deficit he would like to see imposed on them so that they can have fun among the rich and powerful. He even noted the fantastic four who were Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa at the time when the factory bikes were much more powerful than the bikes of the Independent teams and that it was a beautiful situation.
“And then, when we know the work we did to have a decent grid, we Independent teams, with Dorna, with the FIM, with the MSMA, we managed to convince the manufacturers that they had to equip us with high performance machines, that it was in their interest to promote young riders, to have a sporting policy worthy of the name, to have more feedback, what we call data feedback from more riders.
“And in the end, we ended up with almost all the bikes that were on the track being factory bikes of the year, except for a few Ducatis that are one year old but are very good, but in any case at Honda, in the Pierer Mobility group, we have bikes that are 2023 specs, and I think that's a fabulous situation!
“As you have noticed, the first four positions at the French Grand Prix were four Independent teams, and it is fabulous to see that the race for the title is wide open, that there is a point between Bezzecchi who is a young rider, who wins on a private team Ducati bike and who is one point behind Bagnaia on the official bike from the same factory. It's great for everyone, it's great for the sport, it's a great emulation and it allows us, the Independent teams, to convince our partners, that we can call sponsors too, to join us because we tell them that we're not just here to fill the grid but that we're also here to perform! We can win races and eventually go for the title.”
Head over to Paddock GP (link above) to read Poncharal’s full quotes about the reigning World Champion’s comments.