In the home race and for the first time since Portimao, Ducati will be able to field its official tandem, Bagnaia and Bastianini
The ‘Beast’ returns to action three months after being injured in Portimao and wanting to vindicate himself
After a three-week hiatus with no MotoGP action, the Italian Grand Prix marks the start of the season’s first triple-header, which will follow in Germany and Assen. The World Cup arrives this weekend at the Mugello circuit with the current champion pecco bagnaia ahead of the standings, although only by one point ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, winner of the last race held at Le Mans. Two Ducati riders, official and satellite, face to face and on a stage where the Italians are forced to show off.
It is the home race for Ducati who will finally be able to count on his entire ‘Army’. Bagnaia, who after his fall at Le Mans revealed that he suffered a “partial fracture of the talus bone & rdquor; of his right ankle, he has overcome his injury. “Racing at Mugello in front of our fans is always a great emotion and I can’t wait to get out on track. The ankle is fine and shouldn’t be a problem. We did a test with Enea a few weeks ago precisely in Mugello with the Panigale V4 S and I was also riding in Misano without problems. It will be an important weekend for us and I am sure that the push from our fans will give us extra motivation”, says Pecco, winner a year ago on the Tuscan circuit.
Ducati also recovers Enea Bastianini, who fractured his right scapula during the Portimao sprint race, in the first grand prix of the season, and since then has remained in a ‘dry dock’. Debuting this year in the official team, ‘la Bestia’ tried to return to the track at the Spanish GP, in Jerez, but had to give up due to severe pain. Returning to action against the ‘tifosi’ is stimulating for the Rimini rider: “I really like Mugello. In the past I have achieved great results, so the goal is to be able to do it this year as well. After so many weeks unemployed it will not be easy. I rode here a few days ago with the Panigale V4 S and it felt good. but obviously with the DesmosediciGP it will be something else. In any case, I am motivated. It is our home race and I aspire to do it well.”
red tide
The Ducati is a powerful machine at Mugello and on the MotoGP grid the Borgo Panigale bikes are in the majority. Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) and Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46) lead the betting favorites, but Luca Marini (Mooney VR46) will also be present. the little brother of valentino rossi he is looking forward to fighting for podium positions again, now that he knows the feeling. Also Jorge Martin (Prama), who comes from adding a victory to the sprint and a podium in France. Your partner Johann Zarco He is still looking for his first victory in the premier class. AND Alex Marquez (Gresini) expects to strike after having demonstrated his speed and ability to adapt to his new Ducati, just like his boxing neighbor Fabio DiGiannantonio, pole position at Mugello in 2022.