Let's talk MotoGP: Who will be Ducati's sacrifice? 2/2

Since yesterday, I have been looking into the situation that is making the brains of Ducati decision-makers smoke; no matter what, someone will be sacrificed for the sake of domination in MotoGP. To the question “Who will be alongside Pecco Bagnaia”, I tried to provide some answers yesterday, in an article that I invite you to find by clicking here. I strongly advise you to read this first part to familiarize yourself with the selection conditions and other terms explaining my choices. Now that we have detailed the composition of the factory team as well as Prima Pramac Ducati, let's take a look at the other two formations.

I invite you to also participate: tell me who you think, or would like to see riding the eight Desmosedici next year!

 

Gresini stays strong

 

I will still give a little reminder about my choices. I send Jorge Martin alongside Bagnaia, and make a Marc Marquez/Fermin Aldeguer doublet at Pramac. Bastianini, for his part, would find Gresini Racing with guarantees. But who to pair with him? Here is the whole question.

Personally, I thought of not one rider, but two, who could legitimately claim this handlebar. One is more likely than the other, so let's start with the most daring, the most improbable in my opinion. Given the number of drivers who will see their contracts end at the end of 2024 (19/24), there is no doubt that Joan Mir, Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli and Augusto Fernandez will all try to contact Nadia Padovani for a job. I imagine Gresini will be spoiled for choice.

If it were up to me, I'd go for Maverick Vinales. And I'll explain why.

• First, his style has always been based on flashes of brilliance. Isn't that what we ask of a driver at Gresini? I never really understood his role as an official at Aprilia, because I sincerely think that he is not cut out to withstand the pressure of development, and that he is certainly not the man who will take the Noale firm to another dimension. I certainly don't see him as less strong than Alex Marquez, and he showed that he had some good leftovers at the start of the season. Ultimately, few could have crushed a Grand Prix weekend like he did in Austin.

 

 

• Already 29 years old, he has won on three different machines, but will undoubtedly remain relatively inexpensive in terms of contract. This must be taken into account if Bastianini returns to Gresini (still following my arrangement), because his relegation would not be without financial compensation to keep such a talent within the Ducati fold. Vinales is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, that's obvious. But on a one-year contract, for example, I'm sure he could have some great races. Maybe not enough to make it a top 5 contender, or tickle “Bestia,” but it could be a good way out.

• The only problem I see with my reasoning is this. If his season is good enough, then why would he leave Aprilia? Even if he is further behind since his victory in the United States, he is still in the game as proven by his third place during the Sprint in France. Notwithstanding, I find that the association would be interesting, and seeking success with a fourth different manufacturer represents a great challenge for its profile.

But then, what about Alex Marquez? He is my second option, much more likely in fact. Here's why he's not my first choice:

• His start to the season is particularly disappointing. I had already had difficulty with its 2023 financial year, marked by irregularity in performance, despite great breakthroughs including two Sprint victories. But since the beginning, the results have been harsh, even alarming. Still no podium for him, and only one appearance in the points during the Sprints. It's skinny. At Le Mans he only finished 10th, his second worst result at Gresini Ducati. His brother and teammate doesn't make it easy for him, that's for sure. But the fact that he is behind Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, while these two are having a more than difficult season in comparison to their ceiling, worries me quite a bit.

 

• That said, he knows the house well and a bit like Vinales, he is capable of going for a victory on a good day. He still hasn't won a Grand Prix, but that's a possibility that shouldn't be ruled out. So, it would be quite logical to keep it, also to ensure the Marquez siblings have some sort of healthy space in which to work. We suspect that he was no stranger to his brother's decision.

Now let's move on to the VR46 team. Here, it's very simple: I don't make any changes. For these few reasons:

• Fabio Di Giannantonio amazed me at the end of 2023. He was not just a dangerous outsider, no, but drove like a big favorite to win. I still remember his astonishing overtakes in Valencia – notably the one on Johann Zarco, but also his racing intelligence in Qatar, or his resilience in Mandalika. He proved it again at Le Mans: he is a great driver, capable of great things. It has still not fallen on Sunday this season, but it is true that these last few months have been more tortuous than its period of glory in the last Grands Prix of last year. This is perhaps linked to the Desmocedici GP23, more difficult to handle than its predecessor according to all its drivers..

 

 

• Same explanation for Marco Bezzecchi. At the moment, many are attacking him because it is true that this winter, “Bez” had quite presumptuous words towards Marc Marquez, whom he relegated to fourth place in the hierarchy of Ducati riders. Yes, his start to the year is disappointing, especially his French Grand Prix from which he leaves without any points. But let's be serious and objective. Bezzecchi is a raw talent, who has demonstrated his untouchable qualities on multiple occasions. You would have to be in bad faith to see him leave the team.

The main threat to one of them is Franco Morbidelli. A student of VR46, he is a true survivor at Pramac. But I don't see a single viable scenario where this one, the last Ducati rider in the standings by far, would take the place of one of the eight men I named above. As said in the previous part, my judgment voluntarily excludes affiliations, national preferences, salary claims and others. Based solely on the verdict given by the bitumen, it is impossible to put it ahead. And this even if it returns to a correct level.

To summarize, here is my ideal lineup for all four teams.

Ducati Lenovo Team: Pecco Bagnaia & Jorge Martin

Prima Pramac Racing: Marc Marquez & Fermin Aldeguer

Gresini Racing MotoGP: Enea Bastianini & Maverick Vinales (or Alex Marquez)

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio

What do you think of all this? 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