Bagnaia lays down the MotoGP gauntlet
With the start of the MotoGP season just nine days away what did the final round of testing tell us about the season ahead?
Can anyone stop Pecco Bagnaia? It’s hard to recall any pre-seasons running as smoothly. Having decimated the Sepang lap record, the reigning champ did the same in Qatar, blowing the previous best out of the water by 0.8s. This test was further confirmation the Ducati GP24 is even better than its predecessor as Bagnaia confirmed the new aero package is a step ahead.
“I think the 2024 bike is better in all areas compared to 2023,” said the 27-year old. “It’s a mix of the good things from the ’22 bike and the good things from the ’23. For the moment, it’s working perfectly.” Right now, it’s hard to see any weakness. Now starting his sixth premier class season, there’s no danger of complacency here for a rider who has grown in stature. No wonder he is the firm favourite for the 2024 title.
Is Aleix still Aprilia’s No1?
It would’ve been a total Ducati whitewash in Qatar had it not been for Aprilia. There were plenty of positives for the Noale factory, with Aleix Espargaro third, as they continued to assess a number of aero combinations. “In terms of stability the bike has improved a lot,” said Espargaro. “It’s easier to maintain the lap-time with used tyres, so this is very good.”
The 34-year old, who won’t have the full ’24 engine until the first GP, is still asking Aprilia engineers for more power and torque. Otherwise, he’s poised to fight for wins again this year. “I’m excited and I’m ready to fight and it’s going to be a nice season. I feel I’m riding at the best level of my life and this RS-GP 24 is the best bike I’ve ever had.”
Raul Fernandez (fifth) and Maverick Viñales (sixth) were much improved here. But Espargaro is the man getting the best out of Aprilia’s new package so far.
As Enea Bastianini’s one satisfactory weekend in 2023 came in Malaysia, there was reason to temper excitement surrounding his performance at the Sepang test. But the Italian was able back-up to Bagnaia at Qatar in second, while stating “we are still not at 100%”. Rear chatter issues aside, his Sprint simulation on the final night was a match for anyone, bar Espargaro.
Team Manager Davide Tardozzi is sure the 2022 version of Bastianini is back. “Last year there was something heavy on his shoulders,” he said. “Now he’s another rider. He’s the Enea we saw in 2022.
“We’re really confident he’ll be one of the contenders.”
Marc takes another step
He may have remained in the shade of several other Ducati riders, but there are signs Marc Marquez is getting fully up to speed on his Desmosedici GP23. The Catalan admitted he’s still some way off Bagnaia as he set the fourth quickest time, is still making basic mistakes, like forgetting to disengage the ride height device at certain moments, and suffered his first Ducati crash on the final day. Yet he was feeling comfortable enough by then to start taking risks and playing with the bike’s limits. A transponder issue meant his race simulation before the crash wasn’t recorded. But his body language afterwards indicated he was more than satisfied with the test. He said: “In the time attack I was closer. On the long run I was also pushing well. Today I was closer than Malaysia.” Marquez has played down his chances, but he could be an outside shot for the podium on this evidence.
KTM in trouble or just playing it cool?
Final results didn’t look pretty for KTM. But Brad Binder – the highest of the Austrian bikes in ninth – told a different story. “Last year I wanted to shoot myself,” Binder said of the 2023 preseason. “I’d say this one was a lot better.” It was the South African’s laconic way to signal the Austrian factory is in a good place, and better than the timesheets indicated. He and teammate Jack Miller were still trying two new engines over the two days.
Of the riders who did a run longer than 11 laps, Binder’s 22-lap race
‘I think the 2024 bike is better in all areas’
simulation was comfortably the fastest. And catching two yellow flags during his time attack prevented him from lapping the Lusail track faster. Pedro Acosta, 15th fastest, was confident enough to state: “KTM bikes are going to be the surprise of the season.”
Is Diggia 2024’s dark horse?
Was the conclusion to Fabio Di Giannantonio’s 2023 a flash in the pan as he rode for his future? Or a sign that he’s arrived as a true force? Testing here indicated the Roman is capable of maintaining last season’s form – only Bagnaia and Martin scored more points in the final seven rounds – into this year. ‘Diggia’ admitted the latest GP24s have an edge on his year-old