Ducati doesn’t emerge victorious from the Austin Grand Prix, this time Aprilia and KTM manage to breathe down their necks. The MotoGP season is starting to get unpredictable and interesting, with Maverick Vinales scoring a double in Texas and rookie Pedro Acosta starting to get closer to his first victory in the premier class. Enea Bastianini kept the name of Borgo Panigale high at COTA with third place and for now Jorge Martin still holds the lead in the standings.
The match between Bastianini and Bagnaia
General director Gigi Dall’Igna offered his usual analysis after the Texas GP, an unusual event for the Ducati brand, overtaken by two manufacturers during the Sunday race, a situation not seen in MotoGP for a long time. Enea Bastianini was the only rider with the right speed to get on the American podium. An injection of confidence in the internal battle with Jorge Martin, to secure a place in the factory team for next season.
For Dall’Igna the Austin Grand Prix was marked by “strokes of chiaroscuro, light and shadow“, with Bastianini representing the only flashes of light in the main race. “For Enea it is an important podium, he confirms that he is among the protagonists, race after race, with a tenacity that is gradually recovering. Hers was the first Ducati under the checkered flag, with a crescendo finish after an uncertain start and is now in second place in the world championship standings… Another fundamental step in the right direction“.
The one who was unable to reconfirm himself at the top was Pecco Bagnaia, fifth at COTA, after ending the previous round in Portimao with a fall. The reigning MotoGP class champion was hampered by a clear lack of pace for much of the race, the fifth place points finish (11 points) being the best result he could achieve. A race “totally different” compared to Bastianini. Pecco”he started well in the first third of the race, but then his pace became less effective, thus having to defend himself to secure a fifth place“.
Marquez betrayed by the brake
Gigi Dall’Igna’s attention also shifts to his satellite teams. Another race to be canceled for Marc Marquez, who returned to the pits prematurely due to a mechanical problem with his Ducati GP23. Despite this, he demonstrated that he has what it takes to win with the Gresini team. “Marc proved to be an extraordinary interpreter of the race, even in the lead. QThis says a lot about his skill and experience, as well as his determination and enthusiasm“. Finally, with fourth place, Jorge Martin earns precious points which allow him to remain at the top of the MotoGP rider standings, despite “it wasn’t a particularly positive weekend for Jorge“.
Updates for the Ducati GP24
Dall’Igna finally offers a reflection on a championship that is more exciting than ever after what he experienced in the first three rounds. “The championship is long and difficult, and there will be ups and downs for everyone. We must give the best of ourselves to offer our drivers the opportunity to express their best performance. The next test with Michele will therefore be of great importance (Pyrrhus) to Barcelona. There we will try some changes to the bike’s setting, which will then be tested. They will be reconfirmed with the official riders during the tests scheduled for the day after the Jerez Grand Prix“.
Photo: Ducati Corse
