MotoGP, Pablo Nieto does not deny the ambition of the VR46: "Bezzecchi and Bagnaia are fighting for the championship, it's not the ranch"

Marco Bezzecchi is the surprise guest at the start of the MotoGP season. Where Jorge Martin had arranged to meet us during the off-season and where we were expecting Enea Bastianini because of his red suit, it is indeed the driver of the VR46 who is there. In the Ducati clan it is he who cuts croupiers to the World Champion Pecco Bagnaia. And it's perhaps the worst thing that could happen to the one who has to defend his crown, because, what's more, it's about maintaining his supremacy within Valentino Rossi's academy...

This year there will be rivalry within the clan Ducati, which was expected, but there will also be fights in the family Red gathered around the academy VR46. There haven't been any barbecues at the ranch since Bezzecchi took control of the championship bagnaia which fell in Argentina, following the “Bezz” who had promised shortly before that his ambition was to “ bother him ».

A statement followed up on the track, and not just a little: after a fall during the first Sprint at Portimao, three podiums followed, putting the 2022 rookie into orbit for the 2023 title race. elsewhere after two deadlines and four races with nine points ahead of… Pecco Bagnaia.

An unprecedented situation which, by its formation, is neither an accident nor an exception destined to die out on its own. The VR46 Team Manager Paul Grandson doesn't say anything else if you listen carefully to his interview with BT Sport relayed by crash.net. After his legitimately displayed satisfaction after the Argentine Grand Prix, he is indeed looking ahead to the future: “ it was a difficult race, in these conditions it is easy to lose concentration. We won a MotoGP race! I don't believe it yet! ».

Pablo Nieto does not fear that Ducati “forgets” to provide upgrades to Marco Bezzecchi

He adds : " we had the same state of mind as when we won in Moto2 with Pecco Bagnaia. It was important for us to keep the same people, to keep the same level. It's the start of the season and it will be difficult. We must keep our feet on the ground. Pecco and Fabio will return ».

There is therefore a long-term plan, developed on references… “ When they train at the Tavullia ranch with Valentino, it looks like this! But right now they're fighting for the championship, it's not the ranch ", added Grandson. " It's normal, they want to win every race ". And then he ends with his conviction that Ducati will continue to make improvements to the Mooney VR46 team, even if Bezzecchi becomes a constant threat to bagnaia. Nieto thus concluded, as a reminder to Borgo Panigale: “ for now yes. We'll see after this Argentinian race! But there won't be any problems ».