The Ducati in MotoGP has long been considered a machine made for a single rider, unlike the more versatile Japanese motorcycles. But over time, the trend has completely reversed, until arriving at this 2021 season where the Desmosedici makes all its residents happy while Yamaha only shines thanks to Fabio Quartararo. And we're not talking about Honda, which is a naked king without a fit Marc Marquez. Since we are talking about the powerful world's leading manufacturer, how does the Lilliputian Italian industrialist teach the Japanese Gulliver a lesson? Her boss on the battlefield, Gigi Dall'Igna, gives an answer that almost seems like a life lesson...
Ducati opened a new era in its MotoGP history when Gigi Dall'Igna settled in Borgo Panigale from Noale. The brand began to innovate on its Desmosedici, to such an extent that the Italians discovered that it was possible to technically involve the development of a motorcycle in themes which we had convinced ourselves only concerned the automobile. There were the fins which were mocked, then the ailerons which were imitated, the rear deflector which was contested then generalized and then a departure aid device mechanically lowering the front of the machine, now transformed into trim level correction as soon as necessary by collapsing the rear…
It must be recognized, Ducati has made the bike evolve and sets the technical tone for those more powerful than him on the market and in the industry. The Japanese run after the Italians without sometimes even managing to catch up with them, as shown Suzuki to the attitude corrector still far from the mark. Last but not least, five of the six drivers in Ducati have already experienced the joys of the podium this year, showing that motorcycling is within everyone's reach.
This situation delights Gigi Dall'Igna who worked well with his men to get to this point: “ it's clear that it's nice to see that they all speak well of the Ducati. We have a group of people at the factory who work incredibly hard to achieve these results. I am very happy for them. For a factory it is very important to be a constant protagonist over time and I believe that Ducati has now achieved this goal. From the builders point of view this is the most important thing » said the Italian that Johann zarco affectionately nicknamed “goatee”.
At Ducati imagination is one of the most important aspects of life
Certainly, but the question remains: how is it possible that such a small factory could teach the Japanese empire a lesson on the technological level? Dall'Igna gives the key to its success to AS and it's a lesson there are a little over a hundred of us in the Ducati racing department and what we lack in resources, we put it with our heart and our fantasy or our imagination. Imagination is one of the most important aspects of life, and that includes imagination at a technical level ».
A dynamic, a synergy which will accelerate further since the technical thaw is on the horizon for 2022: “ we work on various things that we hope will bear the fruit we want » smiles Gigi at the mention of this deadline. Still, the icing is missing on this beautiful cake. Dall'Igna does not disagree: “ It is clear that for people it is important to win the World Drivers' Championship. It's the icing on the cake that we're missing, but we have to keep working like this and I think that sooner or later the pilots title that we deserve will come ". At that time, the defeat of the Empire of the Rising Sun will be complete.
