Let's talk MotoGP: Bagnaia already at Stoner's level?

The Dutch Grand Prix is ​​behind us! Before leaving for a new GP at the end of the week – in Germany this time, let's take the time to sit back and contemplate the history that Pecco Bagnaia is writing; Since yesterday, the Italian has as many victories as Casey Stoner on Ducati. More broadly, let's come back to the main lessons of this Grand Prix which was quite flat, it must be admitted, but not uninteresting nonetheless.

 

Bagnaia intractable

 

How to get started differently. Pecco Bagnaia was untouchable at Assen. He won his third consecutive Dutch Grand Prix there in the most beautiful way. His weekend was perfectly constructed, since the first free session on Friday morning – the first he led since arriving at the highest level to the finish line yesterday afternoon.

There is no point going back to its already legendary regularity (with five laps identical to the nearest tenth), and its explosiveness at the start. He was not overtaken once over the two rounds. Rather, I would like to focus on the impression it left on the competition. This is the first time I've seen so many drivers say he's above the rest. Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales, basically the three closest over the three days, had no trouble recognizing the superiority of No. 1. Despite his talent, Bagnaia lacks a real mark on the championship ; it's a good way to make an impression, because greatness is expressed above all in the mouths of those we face.

 

 

He leaves Assen with 37 points, a pole and momentum on his side. If Jorge Martin does not react in Germany, station to the flight.

 

At Stoner’s level?

 

It was Bagnaia's 23rd victory in MotoGP, as much as Stoner with Ducati. Last year, I already said that I considered Pecco to be the greatest driver in the history of the brand, without counting the two Honda years for the Australian, of course. However, the difference is no longer so huge.

Stoner was a more impressive natural talent, I have no problem admitting that. We will all agree that these figures are just somewhat useless statistics, which do not help those who had fewer races per season. But in terms of impression, Bagnaia shocks me no less than Stoner. Once we get past the visual magic that emanated from the Desmosedici No. 27, Bagnaia is a much more complete driver, with much greater mental strength than Casey. It doesn't matter who is ahead of the other in the rankings; The fact remains that involving Bagnaia in these discussions only confirms his place in motorcycling history.

 

 

Jorge Martin saves the furniture

 

I really enjoyed Jorge Martin's weekend. While the momentum was no longer on his side following his hasty signing with Aprilia and his lackluster weekend at Mugello, he knew how to contain himself and ride intelligently. He could have given everything to try to catch Pecco Bagnaia, but it was hopeless. He preferred to save two second places, with an excellent start during the Grand Prix which allowed him to free himself from a penalty that was thought to be more cumbersome.

This is what he missed in 2023: being present when everything was not going his way. Before, he would probably have been fifth, or even further. He was second, light years ahead of the rest of the field; This remains a good result, especially against Enea Bastianini who I found moderately convincing throughout this round.

 

 

He remains first in the general classification, even if he must be wary of Bagnaia, now his clear rival. He is less strong at the moment, certainly, and must certainly not be swallowed up during this period favorable to the Italian. Very good work, rewarded by his 50th career podium.

 

Bastianini, very good but too late

 

I expected Bastianini better. This may seem crazy after a third place in the Grand Prix and a great comeback during the Sprint. And yet. In reality, he was never able to worry Bagnaia and Martin, his two real competitors. He qualified 11th, more than a second behind his teammate, which is frankly limited at this stage.. Certainly, he was not helped by the appearance of Q2 but it is also the game, which is why Bagnaia had opted for a different strategy.

And then, regarding his comebacks, it's not surprising. His position at the start is not what holds him back; no, it's more due to his not very explosive flights for a pilot of his caliber. Now on the best bike in the field (which monopolized the three places on the podium on Sunday), he did not manage to stand out early in the two events, which led to "comebacks" that were ultimately quite slow in view of the opponents that 'there was on his way. He had to force his overtake on Marc Marquez in turn 1 on Sunday, for example. He remained very strong, that's a fact, but finished seven seconds from the lead and about three behind Martin; at this point, it's abysmal.

 

 

Some mentions

 

Here are a few points that caught my attention and that I wanted to mention, pell-mell:

- I noticed that we have been talking a lot less about Pedro Acosta for some time now. His behavior and his learning phase have been praised, but this may take longer than expected. Nothing unusual; he remains the best KTM rider at the start of the season, but his mistake in the final loop at Assen shows that he has not yet arrived, far from it.

- Maverick Vinales wastes another opportunity. He couldn't do much against Martin and Bagnaia, granted, but this exit in the antepenultimate turn, on one of his favorite circuits, and what's more is favorable to his RS-GP - if the we analyze the races of recent years, that’s a lot. I'm not even talking about this passage into the green in the last chicane which caused him to lose fifth place. It's hard, but it's the rules. Aprilia continues to lose a lot of points, and these repeated mistakes could weigh heavily at the end of the season.

I had noted others, but this article is already long enough as it is! And you, what did you think of this Dutch Grand Prix? Tell me in the comments!

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

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport