At Ducati, after a sensational 2022 season since marked by the triple crowns in both MotoGP and WSBK, we remember the days of lean cows and refusals by approached riders who would no longer think twice if the same proposal to join the ranks of the Red Army happened today... Sports director Paulo Ciabatti particularly remembers the moment when a Spaniard was coveted. The affair almost concluded. And no, it's not Marc Marquez.
Things are moving quickly in MotoGP and we will see with this story that in three years everything can be turned upside down on the chessboard of the premier Grand Prix category. It's 2019 and, for the 2020 season and beyond, Ducati, which was not yet the power that asserts itself today, is looking for a size to be leader of its project. There is Dovizioso in the walls, and Jorge Lorenzo just left them. We must therefore find another reference.
Ducati only has sniff a little Marc Marquez, nothing more«
At this stage, we believe that the target is logically Marc Marquez, then the best of all. But Paolo ciabatti immediately corrects the situation in comments read on Todocicuito : " No, we never really tried. We only did a little sniffing, nothing more ».
But then who? Here is the answer : Maverick Vinales. The Italian manager reveals it, while explaining why the deal did not happen: “ the one we were looking for was Casa Particular in Viñales, but he didn't want to come ", Explain Paolo Ciabatti. A posture which is that of a great missed opportunity in view of the current situation, but it is well known that we are always smarter afterwards... As such, we will remember the words of Top Gun in April 2020 : " I have a very good relationship with Davide Tardozzi, the team manager of the Ducati team and it was difficult for me to choose between Ducati and Yamaha. But finally, I chose Yamaha because I want to try to win the title, I don't know if I would have had the opportunity to do it away from Yamaha. »
« I think my riding style would be good for the Ducati, which is very powerful. It's a very beautiful motorcycle, also thanks to its aerodynamics. But our Yamaha is also very beautiful. The future ? Who knows, maybe I could return to Suzuki, but for now I only think about winning at Yamaha ". Yes, things are changing quickly in MotoGP in just two years…
