Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has lauded the current form of their top riders, Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini, describing the situation as a “good problem” for the team. With each rider performing at their peak, Ducati faces a challenging decision in selecting the right partner for Bagnaia in the factory team for the 2025 season.

Exceptional Performances:

• Pecco Bagnaia: The reigning champion has continued to demonstrate his exceptional skills, consistently securing top positions.
• Jorge Martin: Known for his speed and precision, Martin has been a formidable competitor, showcasing his potential to win championships.
• Marc Marquez: After a period of recovery, Marquez has returned to form, proving his resilience and championship pedigree.
• Enea Bastianini: Despite facing penalties, Bastianini delivered a remarkable performance at Le Mans, underscoring his competitive spirit and talent.

Statements from Claudio Domenicali:

• “Any choice we make will attract criticism, but it must be made.”
• “We are seeing the best Pecco, the best Jorge, the best Marc, and the best Enea.”
• “Internal competition is a stimulus to improve our bikes.”

Domenicali emphasized the importance of making a well-considered decision by the Mugello race, ensuring that Ducati respects the riders involved while maintaining their competitive edge. The internal competition among these top-tier riders is seen as a positive force, driving the team to enhance their bikes and overall performance.

“The conditions are in place to do extraordinary work. F1 has grown a lot since Liberty took over, adding a whole host of elements. “MotoGP has extraordinary potential , the show is already of a very high level and with the involvement of the United States it can reach new heights ,” said Domenicali.

“It’s a complex situation in a good way: the work we have done in the past with the drivers has generated a lot of talent,” he said. Although Ducati has not only created talent, it has also rescued it. “ Márquez, riding one of our motorcycles, has returned. “He has cleared up the doubts of those who thought that we would never again see him as fit as before his injuries ,” he said.

“Any choice we make will attract criticism, but it must be made” ; and he hopes it will be taken sooner rather than later. “We will not extend this out of respect for the riders involved. It is an almost impossible decision in some ways. It is difficult for Jorge Martín to do better than he did, Marc is growing in an extraordinary way. “Enea Bastianini is not ahead in points, but he had a formidable race at Le Mans, finishing 2″ behind the winner despite a penalty ,” he recalled.

Although having ‘two roosters’ inside the Ducati box is, according to many, a dangerous situation; Domenicali is not afraid. “The internal competition is a stimulus to also improve the motorcycles. In the past we opted for another dynamic, taking a first and a second rider, but it did not bear fruit. Having two competitive riders helps keep the level high. “Today we are seeing the best Pecco, the best Jorge, the best Marc and the best Enea , ” he concluded.

Strategic Considerations: Ducati’s decision will not only affect the dynamics within the team but also impact the broader MotoGP landscape. The potential combinations of riders could create new rivalries and alliances, adding an exciting dimension to the upcoming seasons. As the team deliberates, fans and analysts are keenly observing how Ducati will balance performance, team harmony, and strategic goals.

Conclusion:

Ducati’s leadership is faced with a complex but exciting decision as they choose between four of the top riders in MotoGP. With each rider bringing unique strengths and potential, the final selection will shape the future of Ducati’s dominance in the sport. The forthcoming races, particularly at Mugello, will be crucial in finalizing this decision.

O conteúdo Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali says that Ducati has a ‘HUGE’ Dilemma: Bagnaia, Martin, Marquez, and Bastianini All at Their Peak aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

In an unexpected turn, Cal Crutchlow has announced he will not participate in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, a disappointment for Yamaha and its fans. The 38-year-old rider from Coventry underwent surgery on his right hand due to persistent pain, which has now led to complications, forcing him to withdraw from the race.

Crutchlow’s Statement: “Unfortunately, I will not be able to race at Mugello at the end of May. Post-operative complications with my right hand have forced me to make this difficult decision. It’s frustrating, especially for the team who counted on me to test new developments on the M1 and collect valuable data.”

Yamaha had high hopes for Crutchlow’s technical expertise and feedback to enhance their bike’s performance. A Yamaha spokesperson confirmed the setback, stating, “Cal would have been a valuable resource for us in Mugello, that’s for sure. We had various innovations to test. Now, we will have to rethink our plans for future wild cards.”

Despite this setback, Crutchlow remains optimistic about the rest of the season, focusing on recovery and aiming to participate in the upcoming races at Silverstone and Misano Adriatico. “I’m concentrating on my recovery to be ready for Silverstone and Misano, where I hope to be at 100% of my abilities,” Crutchlow added.

Meanwhile, Yamaha and its fans wish Crutchlow a swift recovery, hoping to see him back in action soon, contributing to the development of the Yamaha M1 in the upcoming events.

O conteúdo Yamaha’s Setback: Cal Crutchlow Out of Mugello Due to Hand Surgery Complications but Silverstone is a objective aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

MotoGP analyst Óscar Haro has voiced strong opinions on Ducati’s potential rider lineup for 2025. He suggests that signing Marc Marquez to the Ducati factory team could create significant challenges for Pecco Bagnaia. Haro believes Jorge Martin deserves the Ducati seat due to his consistent performance but acknowledges the marketing appeal of Marquez, driven by Audi’s interests.

Key Statements from Óscar Haro:

On Jorge Martin: “If I were Ducati, I would dress Martin in red. He deserves it and can win the championship.”

On Marc Marquez: “If you put Marquez in red, you put Bagnaia in trouble within the same box. Marquez is a highly competitive rider, and his presence would intensify internal competition, potentially disrupting team harmony.”

Audi’s Influence: “Audi is pushing for Marquez, seeing great marketing potential. His star power can boost Ducati’s brand visibility, but it comes with the risk of internal team conflicts.”

Implications for Ducati: Haro highlights the strategic dilemma Ducati faces. While Martin’s track record makes him a strong candidate, Marquez’s experience and marketability present a compelling case. The decision could significantly impact team dynamics and performance.

Conclusion:

Óscar Haro’s insights underscore the complex decision Ducati faces in selecting their 2025 lineup. Balancing performance, team dynamics, and marketing potential will be crucial as they navigate these high-stakes choices.

O conteúdo Óscar Haro: “Marc Marquez in Ducati Red Will Put Bagnaia in Trouble!” aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Following an intense race at Le Mans, Aprilia veteran Aleix Espargaro shared his insights on the future of MotoGP, singling out Pedro Acosta as the next dominant force. Espargaro, reflecting on his own career and the future of the sport, praised Acosta’s exceptional talent and predicted he would lead the MotoGP scene for the next ten to twelve years.

Statements from Aleix Espargaro:

• “If I were a team leader, my first choice would be Pedro Acosta. His talent and presence ensure he will dominate the scene for the next decade.”
• “You cannot imagine a future without including Pedro.”

Future of MotoGP: Espargaro also mentioned Jorge Martin as a perfect choice for any team, praising his speed and consistency. While these ideas are hypothetical, they demonstrate Espargaro’s vision for the sport’s future. Currently, Acosta is set to stay with KTM in 2025, while Martin’s future hinges on Ducati’s decisions.

Espargaro’s Career Reflections: Espargaro, a key figure in Aprilia’s rise, contemplates his future as he nears the end of his racing career. Despite not securing a world championship, his numerous podiums and victories highlight a successful journey. He hinted at potential future roles within the MotoGP community, emphasizing his passion for the sport.

Aleix Espargaro’s endorsement of Pedro Acosta and his reflections on the current talent pool provide a compelling glimpse into the future of MotoGP. As the sport evolves, the rising stars and seasoned veterans will shape its trajectory, promising exciting developments in the seasons to come.

O conteúdo Aleix Espargaró Predicts Pedro Acosta’s Dominance in MotoGP for the Next Decade aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

This week, the racing world turns its attention to Barcelona for the Gran Premi de Catalunya, the sixth round of the season. Known for producing some of the most spectacular races on the calendar, the Catalunya circuit poses a unique challenge due to its notoriously low surface grip. Pedro Acosta will be racing at home and is ready and ‘hungrier’ to be at his best.

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager of the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 began to speak about the upcoming race weekend:

– We are heading to Barcelona this week for the Gran Premi de Catalunya, round six of the calendar. This event usually generates spectacular races, because the surface grip is one of the lowest of the season, and all riders manage their tyres for the final laps, which are always explosive. Many riders consider this Grand Prix as their home race, and it will be the case for our two Spanish riders, without forgetting that Catalunya is where everything started for the GASGAS brand.

He then shifted his attention to the number 31 of the team, the rookie Acosta that comes to race again after crashing in Le Mans: ‘Pedro Acosta saw his point-scoring series end in Le Mans’.

The desire is to do more than well, with the french manager to leave a note towards the rider spirit: ‘Until his early crash in the main race, he was the only rider on the grid to have scored points in every sprint and race, which was a decent record for the rookie. We know that he was not happy with his crash, but it is part of the learning process in the premier class, and Pedro will be back even hungrier this week’.

O conteúdo Nicolas Goyon warns Pedro Acosta’s rivals: ‘He will be back even hungrier this week’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The MotoGP is about to get underway once again and now with the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya to host what will be the sixth race of the calendar. This will be the second year where the schedule will have two races, with Aleix Espargaró to be the great winner of the premiere edition of this format, winning both races of 2023.

From year to year the situation changes and there were plenty of different winners in the last five years, with the sole rider to repeat the first place on the podium to be Fabio Quartararo (2020 and 2022) – excluding the Sprint Race – with Marc Márquez to win in 2019, Miguel Oliveira in 2021 and Aleix Espargaró last season.

Looking at what is happening right now in the championship standings Jorge Martín leads (129 points), he who is still looking forward to put his name on the most recent winners, just like Pecco Bagnaia (91 points), while Marc Márquez (89 points) is looking to take his first win of the season at home and return to the winning ways.

We shouldn’t forget about Enea Bastianini (89 points also) who is on a growing trend, nor Maverick Viñales (81 points), who already got to win this season and was last year two times on the podium.

As for the latest winners Fabio Quartararo isn’t going through the best moment, neither is Yamaha, and is currently 12th with 25 points, while Miguel Oliveira 14th with 23.

Catalan GP winners/podiums from 2019 up until now:

2023

Sprint Race:
1st: Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Racing)
2nd: Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing)
3rd: Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing)

Main/Long Race:
1st: Aleix Espargaró
2nd: Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
3rd: Maverick Viñales

Pole position: Pecco Bagnaia

2022

Race:
1st: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
2nd: Jorge Martín
3rd: Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing)

Pole position: Aleix Espargaró

2021

Race:
1st: Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
2nd: Johann Zarco
3rd: Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)

Pole position: Fabio Quartararo

2020

Race:
1st: Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT)
2nd: Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar)
3rd: Álex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)

Pole position: Fabio Quartararo

2019

Race:
1st: Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)
2nd: Fabio Quartararo
3rd: Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Lenovo Team)

Pole position: Fabio Quartararo

O conteúdo Check the last Catalan GP winners: What is your prediction? Get ready for another epic battle! aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martín recently spoke to Europa Press where he gave his opinion on his performance so far in the MotoGP world championship, comparing it to the start of last season where he showed less consistency.

– Maybe last year I didn’t start in the best way, but from the middle of the end of the season I was super consistent, super fast and I kept that pace at the start of the season. Leading is more difficult than being behind, because you have a lot more thoughts and a lot of things going through your head. But if you can separate things and try to go fast, it’s a good way of thinking and preparing for the races. That’s my mindset until the end of the year. It’s better not to think too much and just go race by race.

He added, talking about MotoGP grid sensation Pedro Acosta, who has been a big surprise to everyone: ‘He’s just another rival. You don’t see a rival as more or less, you just wait to see what he does and compete against everyone. He’s one more and it’s clear that he’s doing very well, he’s going to be one of the strongest rivals in the future.

O conteúdo ‘He’s just another rival; he’ll be one of the strongest rivals in the future’ Jorge Martín about Pedro Acosta aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martín is still in great shape and leading the MotoGP world championship. After a great performance at the Le Mans GP, the Spanish rider has taken a 38-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia.

With so many rumors swirling around the MotoGP paddock about the rider market for 2025 and his possible move to the factory Ducati team, Martín is calm about his future.

Speaking to Europa Press, the Pramac Team Racing rider spoke about what he thinks of his future.

– I hope to finalize my future soon, during these next few races. I have nothing more to prove, what I did last year and what I’m doing this year in a satellite team is more than enough. This cycle (at Pramac) is over and it’s time to go to a factory team. I hope, and it’s my goal, to go to the factory Ducati team. But if not, then it will be somewhere else.

He added about the options still on the table: ‘I know I have good options and, wherever it is, I’ll do well. I’m earning my way into the Ducati factory team, there’s no other story, and I’m confident that I’ll end up being Pecco’s teammate, but what I can’t control… I can control doing well, winning races. If I don’t get that chance, it’s because it doesn’t have to happen.

The Spanish rider also spoke of the rumors about the chance to ride as Marc Márquez’s teammate.

– A Martin-Marc Márquez duo doesn’t exist at the moment, but it could happen. Who knows if we could be partners in the future, it wouldn’t be bad.

O conteúdo ‘My goal, to go to the factory Ducati; I’ll end up being Pecco’s teammate’ – Jorge Martín aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Francesco Bagnaia finished the Le Mans GP 38 points behind his rival, Jorge Martín. With the Catalunya GP coming up this weekend, the Italian rider will have to overtake Martín if he wants to close the gap to the championship leader.

Speaking to MotoSprint, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider spoke about the approach he will take over the coming weekend.

– First of all, finish the race: like in France, I haven’t crossed the finish line for two years. In 2022 I crashed in the first corner, last year I jumped in the second, so at least I hope to make it four corners! It was another track where we were very fast last year, we were going very fast. Sunday’s race with the medium tire would probably have given us another win, but that’s what happened.

Pecco revealed his enjoyment of the circuit: ‘It’s a circuit I’ve always really liked. It’s definitely not the safest in the World Championship because of the asphalt. That’s why it’s dangerous to race there, but it’s one of the most beautiful and characteristic circuits.

He added about this year’s competitiveness and talked about his biggest rival: ‘It’s difficult. It’s a difficult championship, so many riders are doing well, so many competitive bikes to win, a bit like in recent years. It’s going to be even more complicated. I’m sure Martin is the number one rival at the moment.

O conteúdo Francesco Bagnaia insecure about the Circuit de Catalunya – ‘It’s definitely not the safest; it’s dangerous to race there’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Speaking to the podcast “The Wild Project”, Jorge Lorenzo spoke about the “toxic” fans he encountered during his MotoGP career and shared some details of stories that marked him out at the time.

– I wanted to look like these characters. They didn’t affect me on the track, but off it’s not easy. One episode was when we went to a disco and, if they didn’t like us, they’d say: ‘Lorenzo, you’re a pimp, you’re a pimp’ or something else. We stayed away from them, because they never said that to our faces, people don’t get close to us, they’re cowards.

He added of Valentino Rossi’s fans: ‘One of the strongest things I experienced was in Valencia in 2015, when I won my last world championship. I won the race, Marquez was second and I was world champion. Of the 100,000 people in Valencia, 60-70% were yellow, they were for Rossi. We arrived at the parc fermé, took off our helmets and most of the circuit was chanting for me and Márquez, the two best riders in the world, the Spanish love them. Then, at the celebration, I remember being in my motorhome with music and all my friends, the most beautiful moments of my life. We were near a wall with a fence that prevents outsiders from entering the paddock and there was a group of 20, 30 people insulting my mother, my best friend. They were saying: “You’ve stolen the World Championship from us”. The Spaniards were saying: “You stole the World Championship from us”. As if Rossi was the Spaniard and we were the foreigners. It’s like Real Madrid players going to the Santiago Bernabéu and being whistled at.

O conteúdo ‘They stole the World Championship from us; as if Rossi was the Spanish one’ – Jorge Lorenzo on Rossi’s fans aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.