Pecco Bagnaia brilliantly launched his 2024 season by winning the Qatar Grand Prix, responding to Jorge Marin who had won the Sprint at Losail the day before. For his part, Marc Marquez made a remarkable entry into the Ducati clan, placing fourth in his first race. But for Marco Melandri, this first verdict is not the assurance of seeing this Ducati trio tear each other apart to win a title. The ex-Italian driver identifies another rival for Pecco Bagnaia, much more formidable…
On this first round on the Doha side, Marco Melandri comment on Insella.it : " I expected it a little with Marc Marquez, even if MotoGP is no longer what it used to be. There will be days when he shines and others where he will be at his current level. Of course he was competitive, but the ones in front were impressive ».
He specifies about the eight-time World Champion right arm still bande : " MotoGP has changed a lot. However, he remains strong. At circuits like Austin, Sachsenring and Valencia he will have an advantage ».
Marco Melandri: “ I don't see anyone at Ducati capable of competing with Bagnaia »
However, Melandri do not consider Marquez as a serious competitor for bagnaia this season : " I don't see anyone at Ducati capable of competing with Bagnaia. Already last year he was the strongest from the start. He had a slump after Barcelona, but is now back on form, and the Ducati GP24 just got better. The others with the GP23 are struggling a little ».
So when it comes to naming potential rivals of bagnaia for the championship, Melandri remain careful: it's still early, but Bagnaia is strongest on Sunday. His difficulties on Saturday intrigue me. He seems less comfortable during sprints, but on Sunday he attacks from the first corner ».
To Melandri, even if Marc Marquez is not considered a direct adversary for bagnaia, he sees in Brad Binder a serious candidate for the title. “ Binder often remains in the shadows, we don't talk about him enough. Maybe he doesn't grab the attention, but he's strong, combative, fast, and the KTM seems to have progressed. Binder is for me Bagnaia's main rival. I find him more threatening than Martin. Binder has what it takes to compete with Bagnaia ". A prediction which will be put to the test this weekend in Portimao, a track which will be the second game of the season which is the Portuguese Grand Prix.
