With just three races remaining in the 2024 MotoGP season, the title fight is as intense as ever between two Ducati riders. Jorge Martin extended his lead in the general classification after a memorable race at Phillip Island, where he extended the gap to Pecco Bagnaia, taking his lead to 20 points. Now the championship heads to Thailand, a crucial moment where every point counts, and the pressure is mounting in the Ducati ranks.
The race in Australia was revealing. Pecco Bagnaia, the defending champion, failed to keep up with the frantic pace of George Martin and Marc Marquez. Despite adjustments in the stands, bagnaia and his teammate Enea Bastianini suffered from a lack of feel with the front tire. The first two drove very well, they set incredibly fast times. ", said Davide Tardozzi, team manager of Ducati, on Sky Sport MotoGP.
Marc Marquez, who has nothing to lose in the title race, played a crucial role in taking five valuable points from Jorge Martin. " Marc has been the caiman that we know, he absolutely wanted to win ", has explained Tardozzi. Yet it is clear that Ducati does not give team orders, leaving his drivers free to race: " Today's race silences those who say Pecco is favored. We want a show, and they're all Ducatis.…We are proud to have six Ducatis in the first six places »
Davide Tardozzi Ducati: “ From the next race onwards we absolutely have to finish ahead of Jorge Martin »
However, the pressure is now fully on Pecco BagnaiaThe defending champion will absolutely have to finish in front George Martin en Thailand to maintain his title chances. Pecco is sure he will fight for the title until the end. We probably didn't make the right adjustments on Friday and Saturday, but we fixed some things on Sunday. Admitted Tardozzi, while recognizing that Marquez et Martin were the strongest over the weekend.
The next stage of the championship in Thailand, followed by the Malaysia and Valencia, will be decisive. From the next race onwards, we absolutely have to finish ahead of Jorge, especially since he is very strong in Valencia. ", highlighted TardozziThe challenge will be as much physical as mental, and bagnaia will have to draw on all its resources. Zero problem with Pecco, he is mentally strong and he knows what he has to do. But Jorge has grown a lot and he understood that sometimes it was necessary to avoid risking an unnecessary battle with Marc. »
The suspense remains, and Davide Tardozzi sums it up perfectly: “ Whoever wins the title will have absolutely deserved it, whoever loses it will be no less great. » The 2024 MotoGP could well end in style with a thrilling final straight, where each rider will seek to write his name at the top.
MotoGP, Australia J3,: ranking
