Since the end of the summer break, the red Ducati GP18s have been unbeatable in Grand Prix racing. Three victories followed one another in three races contested and they were on the first two places on the starting grid of a British Grand Prix which was canceled. Marc Marquez is the first to thank heaven for a first part of the season where he was able to capitalize sufficiently before seeing the Borgo Panigale manufacturer wake up. The manufacturer's title could nevertheless be a consolation, against Honda. But for the brand boss, the current domination goes beyond MotoGP: “ Italy can be proud » he proclaims to anyone who will listen…
The results admit it, the Ducati Desmosedici GP18 is the most competitive MotoGP prototype in the history of the brand. The men from Borgo Panigale definitely fulfilled their holiday duties well, because since the start of the school year in Brno, MotoGP has only seen red. The Italian motorcycle finally enters the corners with agility while maintaining its firepower on the straights. The sports director Paolo ciabatti also finds it difficult not to burst into flames: “ We think we have one of the most competitive bikes, if not even the best, but that's not for us to say. We've won the last three races, it's a very good bike with two very good riders ».
If the triumphs in Austria and the Czech Republic could be put down to a track generally favorable to Ducati, doubts about the performance of the Desmosedici were lifted at Misano. A traditionally difficult track for a red motorcycle which has only won once, in 2007. “ We could win with both Dovi and Jorge. It is a source of great pride because after so much effort, good results are obtained and this rewards our work. The reward is also for the fans who were there during the difficult times ", said Claudio Domenicali, the boss of the brand.
Ducati won this year at Mugello and Misano, a historic combination that has never happened in Ducati history. “ That's why I said it was the strongest moment in our history, and it's probably true »added the CEO. I would say that it has importance, it is symbolic. But symbols are also important. In Italy, at present, the pride of being able to do things well is very important, especially when there is a very complicated technology like MotoGP, where a lot of organization, order, precision and skill are required. quality. It's not just a sporting exercise. I think it's very good for Italians because it makes the country proud ».
After difficult years, the arrival of Gigi Dall'Igna in 2013 changed course. The introduction of the Magneti Marelli electronic control unit did the rest. “ Ducati is a good company, it works well in the market and it is on the right track, it is an encouragement for everyone, even for other Italian companies ", concluded Claudio Domenicali. « Something complicated is not solved in a few months, but in years, working silently and without controversy ».
An act of faith that comes at an opportune moment: when the owner Volkswagen is thinking of selling Ducati. And everything would be perfect in the best of all possible worlds if the same boss Sundays had been able to hold his tongue a few more days before the Italian Grand Prix, on the subject of Jorge Lorenzo...
