Ducati, should we be worried or not?
After the Thailand Grand Prix, which saw a runaway victory for Marco Bezzecchi and as many as 4 Aprilias in the top 5 positions, it is legitimate to wonder whether or not the Noale bike is the new benchmark for MotoGP.
For Marc Marquez, there is no need to be alarmed just yet, given that he pointed out that in a difficult weekend – both physically and in terms of feeling with the bike – he could have brought home a second place for Ducati, had it not been for the rim and tire problem that forced him to retire.
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But how is Marquez?
The nine-time world champion pointed out after the race how he chose to run a strategic race: “I had to manage my physical condition more than the tires. I was uncomfortable and when I feel like that, I have to manage and that’s what I did.”
FormulaPassion.it asked Carlo Pernat – historic MotoGP manager – for an opinion on Marc Marquez’s situation.
Marc Marquez spoke of a weekend of suffering, for him and for the bike. Does the rider have any nagging doubts in his mind about his physical recovery?
“It’s clear that Marc has a very difficult year ahead of him. He came out of hell and made it, and probably he also drained himself a bit mentally. Then that crash unintentionally caused by Bezzecchi kept him out for many months with the same battered shoulder. It’s hard to evaluate and he’s carrying it with him a bit, so he’s worried and he shows it. He is still Marc, he is the man to beat because he is number one. But what happened to him is weighing on him, that’s for sure, and it’s not his fault.
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Then this bike has had a difficult development over the last 2 years, let’s remember the GP25. At this moment, if we look closely at things, Aprilia has made a very significant leap forward thanks to Sterlacchini and Rivola’s decisions and everything.
Ducati is paying the price for Marquez’s arrival, which has somewhat psychologically destroyed Bagnaia, it changed him. Bagnaia isn’t there, Ducati has only one rider, which is Marquez. Di Giannantonio isn’t there, Morbidelli isn’t there, they are not in a good position in terms of riders. There is only Marquez, because Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia do finish, but they are many seconds behind. Bagnaia seems like a different person, he suffered mentally from Marquez and is still suffering now. He was right to decide to leave and choose Aprilia. When the announcement comes, it will be even better.”
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