Let’s Talk MotoGP: Here’s Why You Should Thank Ducati

We haven’t even packed our bags for Asia yet and Ducati is already the constructors’ world champion in MotoGP! For the fourth consecutive year, the Borgo Panigale firm triumphs in this prestigious competition, but this time with disconcerting ease. In truth, there was no match, as never since the introduction of the four-stroke MotoGP in 2002, and as rarely in history. However, despite an outrageous domination, we must take the time to congratulate Ducati.

At the MV Agusta

Rarely have we seen a brand take such an upper hand over the competition at the highest level of motorcycling. This is already one of the greatest dynasties in history and this season’s numbers prove it.. Let’s detail them together.

In reality, it’s quite simple. Ducati won all the Sunday races except one, and all the Sprints except two. This spot in the table is to be credited to the Aprilia officials Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro. But since Catalonia, the date of Aleix’s success in his backyard on Saturday, the men in black have never again overshadowed the reds. Another figure that will be useful to us: Ducati has achieved a record run of eight consecutive Grands Prix with three machines in the top three placesIn total, she has ten “1-2-3” this year in thirteen races.

At first glance, there is not much to add. But when studying the season, one point catches my attention. It is the growing gap between Ducati and the others. We hear, at Yamaha or Honda, that progress is being made. It is the same at Aprilia since the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna, moreover. Think of it as a talking point that goes through the mouths of all good employees..

But in reality, when you look at the events, the distance only increases. At the beginning of the season, Maverick Vinales was quite dangerous. He was wrongly credited with a potential that was not his. I was the first to say it, but we must admit that he was in on itIn the USA he inflicted Ducati’s only Sunday defeat and he would have been on the podium in Portugal if it hadn’t been for that mechanical problem in the final moments.

But since then, where has Aprilia gone? The Noale firm is struggling, sometimes in the meanders of the standings as was the case in the last two rounds before Misano 2. KTM, on the other hand, has never been in the running. Here again, it is another example of the increase in this gap, but on a larger scale. In 2023, Brad Binder was talking with the Martins and other Bagnaias. This season, he has become wiser again, more consistent in performance, but so much further from the leaders.

The Austrians, who can only really count on two drivers (Augusto Fernandez and Jack Miller, who are absent), are only counting on strokes of genius from Pedro Acosta or the iron discipline of Binder. No continuity seen at KTM. The project is quite vague, without anyone noticing.

Here, I will not talk about the Japanese because I have too much respect for the history of these manufacturers. It would be an affront to them to compare their results to those of Ducati.

Gaps, but not only in points

Another element shocked me and still shocks me. The gaps on the track are only increasing, reaching waiting times between two riders that we no longer thought realistic in the era of the single ECU. It is no longer rare to see five, six or seven seconds between the first twowith the first non-Ducati fifteen seconds behind as was the case at Misano last Sunday.

Obviously, we have the impression of seeing less competitive races, and above all, always the same people at the front, which we have been more used to since at least 2019 and I would even say, 2015. I know full well that Ducati has a lot of detractors, like all the dominant forces in the history of all motor sports. But still, we must thank them because they do not seem to neglect the integrity of the discipline.

Fortunately they are passionate

The other private teams, whether Gresini Racing or VR46, are very successful. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

Let’s say I’m the CEO of Ducati. I have the best machine, which tends to become even better, and I am probably several years ahead in terms of development as the others are unable to catch up. To tell the truth, I am only widening the gap. I have very talented riders, yes, but above all I have a young Italian knighted by Valentino Rossi in the person of Pecco Bagnaia, in the official team no less. What would I do to get the most money, fame and posterity out of this golden period?

It’s simple: I give all of Bagnaia’s opponents who use my bikes a less powerful version of the Desmosedici. I make Pecco the new Valentino Rossi, making him win every race – except when it falls, of course. From there, he would pile up the championships, without any internal competition. I thus create a new idol in Italy, which allows me to sell more road bikes.

That’s what any Formula 1 team boss would have done with that potential. And I’d go even further: that’s what any Japanese MotoGP team boss would have done, because there have been examples in the past.

Instead, Ducati is giving us a show, giving equal opportunities to Jorge Martin in a private team, while the latter will desert next year to join Aprilia, a direct competitor on the territory! For me, This means that Italian oils are passionate, they favor an interesting championship.

Marc Marquez is going to do very badly next year, and the transition to a dominant factory team now seems to have begun. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

So, yes, there are eight bikes on the grid, etc. We know the story. But the others can do the same. While Yamaha and Honda, the biggest manufacturers in the world, were getting lost in development, putting money into bad contracts, Ducati was working. And even if there are growing gaps, let’s be happy to have a real battle for the title with six rounds to go. From now on, put things into perspective, and
Tell yourself that it could have been much worse with the author of this article at the helm.

I am very curious to have your opinion on this period of domination. Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport