MotoGP Qatar, Ciabatti warns: what was seen with the Ducati during testing will be repeated in the race

Ciabatti sends a message from a Qatar which will open the MotoGP season this Friday with the first free practice sessions. A Losail circuit very well known to the paddock since it was the track where the off-season tests were recently concentrated. We therefore know roughly what to expect for this start, notably with Ducatis in great shape. On this point, some opponents have suggested that the Desmosedici will not be as comfortable when the time comes for the race. The Italians will then have to reduce the cavalry to reach the finish line. An approach that the sporting director of the Borgo Panigale brand rejects…

With a Jack Miller author of the new track record and a Johann zarco capable of brushing against 358 km/h at the end of the 1 meter straight, the Ducatis showed their strength on the Losail track. The latter will receive the first two Grands Prix of this 068 season. A gift to the Italians? Some say that the 2021 km of the site also requires other qualities, which Yamaha proved by sticking to the GP21 basques. And then it seems that Ducati will have to calm down its V4 for the race so that it does not exhaust too quickly the 22 liters of gasoline which will fuel it until the checkered flag...

A theory that came to the ears of the sports director Paolo ciabatti. He responds, not giving too much hope to his competitors… “ We would never show a performance in testing that we couldn't repeat on the race weekend » he warns. “ We always test with the same setup that we might use on a race weekend. This is not a problem for us. But it's good when competitors worry about us... ».

Ciabatti: “our Ducati riders are among the contenders for the podium”

« We don't play any specific games in testing »Assures Ciabatti sure speedweek. " We are not newcomers who want to show in tests that we can be competitive. We've been in business too long for that. What we witnessed in the test, we can also demonstrate during the Grand Prix weekend. This is our performance level, there is no extra power behind it ».

However, he specifies: “ but track conditions could change. The weather could get warmer and the abrasion of the rubber of the two small classes could change the grip level a little ". A parameter which nevertheless does not erode his optimism: “ our Ducati riders are among the contenders for the podium. But the Yamaha riders are well placed. They will probably be our toughest competitors ". And within these two brands, we have two French people who no longer need to be introduced…