MLav on Ducati’s newfound form

Michael Laverty examines how Ducati have become so consistent

1 Flexible friend…

Ducati’s engine has always been their biggest strength, with their speed advantage making overtaking relatively easy, especially against the in-line four manufacturers.

The extra speed allows their riders to recover lost ground down a straight, whereas a Yamaha rider will get punished on the next straight should they ever run wide. Better still, Ducati riders now have the ability to ride smoothly and carry high roll speed, as Zarco seems to execute consistently. However, when they do brake too late the bike also loves a V-style, late braking, stop, slower at the apex and fire off the turn. It all makes for a flexible riding experience.

2 Onesize fits all

Four of Ducati’s six riders have scored a podium so far this season, including rookie Jorge Martin. Their machine is arguably the strongest package on the grid, while the Yamaha may ultimately be the fastest, that’s only in the hands of one rider – Fabio Quartararo. The Yamaha is not as flexible as the Ducati, it is a bike that requires a certain riding style to be fast: precise on corner entry with high corner speed. Something that is not always possible in a race situation.

3 Best of both

Ducatis finally turn! Yamaha and Suzuki do turn faster and sharper, but physics dictates they must due to their dimensions. What Ducati have done is make their longer machine more agile, maintaining the advantages of the long stable bike but maximising its ability to flex mid turn and hook a better line than any Desmo before it. There is an argument to say they may have got there sooner had they stuck with the steel trellis frame they understood so well, as KTM are proving; there is a lot to be said for working with what you know.