After two Grands Prix which launched the MotoGP season with a bang, we can guess the state of the forces present which will be measured during another 11 meetings. We still don't know too much about Honda, since leader Marc Marquez was unable to deliver his score, even if his daunting comeback during the first race provided some indications. Yamaha is at the top of the hierarchy, but no longer has an engine in stock. As for Ducati, the doubt is there, with ups and downs. To the point that red motorcycles are worried about the progress of orange-colored machines. KTM is doing well, and that’s worrying as well as rejoicing on Petrucci’s side…
Danilo Petrucci is living his last season as an official driver Ducati. Even before the first 2020 Grand Prix, he knew his fate was sealed. But he showed his ability to bounce back by taking a ticket to the Mattighofen factory, and he came back with a contract in his pocket. Petrux will be a pilot Tech3 with an RC16 in 2021. As a result, if the Austrian motorcycle is making up for it this year, it is not to displease it.
“KTM can compete with the best factories”
The next meetings will be at Brno and, above all, on the Red Bull Ring which will be surveyed on two occasions during two successive weekends. A route which has always seen a Ducati triumph, even during the virtual race… However, this year, KTM would be worth monitoring: they have already tested on the circuit with their motorcycles " remember Petrucci. And lately, in fact, Dani Pedrosa once again filed down the Austrian track.
« They can test, which certainly means you start with an advantage. But we also saw in Jerez that they had four drivers in front. This is a manufacturer that has reached the point where it can compete with the best factories » signals the teammateAndrea Dovizioso.
The Italian ends by recalling what he observed in Jerez: “ Pol Espargaró came within one second of the podium in the first race ", has recalled Petrucci. " Binder had pace at Quartararo's level, Oliveira finished ahead of me in the first race, and Lecuona wasn't far behind me. It's certainly a bike that's strong. They can use their points at this dealership and this is certainly an additional problem in Brno and even more so in Austria ". See you on August 7 to assess whether KTM can disrupt Ducati...
