We feared this situation but Ducati had sworn to us that what had happened in the past was definitely history. What ? The failed transplant of a multiple World Champion onto a Desmosedici. Valentino Rossi knows something about it but, in the meantime, Gigi Dall'Igna has taken up residence in Borgo Panigale. Something to convince Jorge Lorenzo. Who, since then, has had all the difficulty in the world to honor his subscription at the top of the hierarchy.
However, the speech is intended to be reassuring and the slightest positive signs highlighted to keep up appearances. But these are stubborn. And during the last Italian Grand Prix, they even proved to be a little more cruel.
With three Ducatis in the top 5 on a Mugello track delighted to see an Italian triumph on an Italian machine, which is a first in the history of MotoGP, to miss the party is to highlight its difficulties. Gold, Jorge Lorenzo missed the opportunity by arriving eighth. And it is not the flash in the pan of leadership in the first laps of the transalpine race that will persuade the future which sings for Por Fuera.
Anyone who knew him in the intermediate categories during the Aprilia two-stroke era, and who therefore saw him grow to the point of convincing him to join him, does not deny the difficulties experienced. The latter are so large that the adaptation of the driver to his machine will not be enough. The Italian specifies on Tutomotoriweb : “ we want to change Jorge's bike but it's not easy because we are in the middle of the season and we have to understand what Jorge needs. We need precise ideas to produce the parts that will be useful to him. But we do our best to satisfy him ».
Let's summarize: since the start of the season, the Ducati does not please Lorenzo who had already warned about this situation since the offseason. Mid-season is approaching and nothing changes. Nothing will change anyway since Ducati doesn't know what its rider needs and the factory therefore remains at the ready. If it's not a dead end, it still looks a lot like one.
More Gigi Dall'Igna still creates an escape route: “ we don't need a new motorcycle. We will do our best to put Jorge in the best possible condition in the next races so that he can perform well. Maybe we can give him some new parts after the summer break. It's entirely possible ».
But it remains conditional and there will definitely be no revolution. At this rate, the Majorcan's record is likely to remain at a standstill for a good while... The curse of the Champions at Ducati continues. is not Stoner wants.
