Ducati factory rider Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is one of the big favourites for the 2022 MotoGP season: the Italian analyses the situation ahead of the season opener
With his form in the final third of the 2021 MotoGP season, Francesco Bagnaia emerged as one of the top favourites for 2022, with the Ducati rider winning four of the final six races to move to within 26 points of World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) in the final standings
Bagnaia did not attract interest with fabulous times in the pre-season tests, however. Instead, the Italian worked through his test programme. Looking ahead to the start of the season, Bagnaia can concentrate fully on his sporting achievements. His future with Ducati is secure
Bagnaia is satisfied with his preparations at the Sepang and Mandalika tests, even if he didn’t set any best times. “I had to do a lot of things because when Ducati innovates they do it very determinedly,” Bagnaia is quoted as saying by ‘GPOne’. “I knew that with fresh tyres I would have finished at the top. That’s why I worked on something else.”
“We did a good job in the winter. Ducati worked hard on the new bike. We did everything we could to find the best possible compromise. I think we are ready for the start of the season,” Bagnaia notes.
One of Ducati’s new innovations is the front end of the 2022 vintage Desmosedici that can be lowered when riding. “It doesn’t change the riding behaviour. It is an advantage. Our engineers are really good and everyone else is copying Ducati. But no other bike has the same charm,” said Bagnaia, praising the efforts of Ducati’s racing department.
Despite the progress, however, Bagnaia does not underestimate his opponents. “The level is really high. That’s how it should be. Everyone is really strong,” said the Italian, who is counting on Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki.
“Fabio (Quartararo) is the world champion and therefore the one to beat. Marc (Marquez) will also be fast because he has recovered from his injury. He will be very fast. The same goes for Joan (Mir) because Suzuki did a good job,” Bagnaia notes, adding, “Marquez and Quartararo will be the biggest opponents. “