One hundred victories. The number is impressive in itself. But behind Marc Marquez's 100th MotoGP win for the Ducati Desmosedici at the Hungarian Grand Prix, there's another story. A less visible story. A story with a name: Gigi Dall'Igna. Because when Ducati celebrates its hundredth success in the premier category today, most of these victories bear the direct imprint of the Italian engineer.
When Dall'Igna quits Aprilia to join Borgo Panigale at the end of 2013, Ducati It's still a team capable of flashes of brilliance, but far from being the absolute benchmark in MotoGP. The Desmosedici is fast, sometimes brilliant, but rarely dominant. Twelve years later, the landscape is unrecognizable.
Ducati has become the technical benchmark in the paddock. A benchmark that all other manufacturers are now trying to copy. In Hungary, Marc Marquez offered to Ducati A flawless weekend. Pole position. Sprint victory. Grand Prix victory. Fastest lap. A complete demonstration.
Dall'Igna He himself did not hide his satisfaction. Marc has reached his centenary! One hundred MotoGP victories: Ahead of him now only Agostini and Rossi"For the Italian engineer, this success has a special flavor."
Firstly, because it marks the return to the forefront of Marquez after a long period of physical suffering. But also because it offers Ducati His 100th MotoGP victory. A symbolic number that illustrates better than any statistic the transformation that has taken place since his arrival.
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The champion's return to Ducati
The Italian manager particularly appreciated the race management of MarquezAccording to him, the victory was built not on aggression but on intelligence. Wait. Observe. Preserve the tires. Then strike at the right moment. He managed the race perfectly ", Explain Dall'Igna that holds the top spot. " Without overdoing it at the beginning, waiting for the rear tire to reach its optimal temperature before making the difference in the second part of the race »
A description that almost resembles that of a patient predator waiting for the exact moment to deliver the decisive blow.
Dall'Igna did not forget Francesco BagnaiaEven though the two-time MotoGP world champion continues to have a difficult season, his third place was received positively.
The boss of Ducati emphasizes that a bad start deprived him of any chance of joining the duo Marquez-Acosta.
But on a circuit where bagnaia He has never been particularly comfortable, but this second consecutive podium finish nonetheless represents an encouraging sign. A valuable podium " simply summarizes Dall'Igna.
The surprise of the weekend is called Iker LecuonaCalled in at the last minute to replace Alex Marquez injured, the Spanish pilot was practically discovering the Ducati MotoGP. The result? A remarkable seventh place. This result should absolutely not be underestimated. », insists Dall'IgnaAnd he's right. Few riders can arrive unprepared on a modern MotoGP bike and finish so close to the best.
Finally Dall'Igna wanted to greet Fabio DiGiannantonioCaught in the pileup caused by George Martin At the first corner, the Italian seemed destined for an anonymous race. On the contrary. He climbed back up to 12th place with a pace that, according to Dall'Igna He himself was worthy of the podium. A detail that did not escape the Italian boss: A character and determination that I greatly appreciated. »
Ultimately, the 100th victory of Ducati perhaps tells more of a story about Gigi Dall'Igna than that of Marc MarquezChampions come and go. Drivers change. Generations succeed one another. But few engineers are capable of permanently transforming the balance of an entire championship.
Today, all the motorcycles on the track are judged in relation to DucatiAnd that probably constitutes the greatest victory of all. Because reaching one hundred victories is a feat. Transforming a brand into the absolute benchmark of the MotoGP modern is another one.
