Ducati has just warned him through Paolo Ciabatti who gave him his instructions: to keep his handlebars at Pramac in 2021 and thus remain in the bosom of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, he will have to show something completely different from what he has. made in 2019. Pecco Bagnaia no longer has the halo of reigning Moto2 World Champion, nor the excuse of a beginner in the category. He can no longer even argue that he does not have the same bike as the manufacturer's most prominent riders. With his GP20, he will definitely have to convince. Otherwise, Johann Zarco could well take his place…
At Ducati we are thinking about the future and we are already making decisions. Jack Miller is the demonstration with his promotion within the factory team, to the great displeasure of Danilo Petrucci. At Pramac, George Martin will settle alongside a bagnaia who now knows what to expect: he will have to erase the doubts born about him after a disappointing first season 2019. Paolo ciabatti said the first two or three races will be used to assess the situation. Which is short. But at least the resident of the VR46 Accadémie will have the means to defend himself on the track. An opportunity denied to so many Petrucci, that at Alex Marquez...
bagnaia got the message. And to show himself in a better light, he will have to recalibrate his mind. Mean by that he will have to forget Fabio Quartararo and only think about Andrea Dovizioso. He explains in an interview with Corriere dello Sport: “ Quartararo was a bit of a pain. He's fast, but when we've raced against him in the past he's always come behind me. Seeing him go so fast in MotoGP was difficult. He did a great job, he is one of the most talented young people. The idea is to return to stand in front of him. Him and all the others ».
“The Ducati is physically exhausting”
bagnaia then continued: “ I hope I will be the surprise this year. Ducati gave me the best and I'm happy. I think we can be competitive. This year I feel closer to Petrucci and Dovizioso. Getting on the Ducati led me to learn a lot. I have always been a very smooth rider and with this bike you have to work hard. Physically it's exhausting ».
Finally, Pecco responded to the question of whether or not he currently has a point of reference within the Borgo Panigale team: “ At the moment the rider who goes the hardest and knows this Ducati best is Andrea Dovizioso ". A wise reference.
