Francesco Bagnaia warns new Ducati “better in all areas”

Qatar Mot𓄧oGP test leader Francesco Bagnaiꦑa says new Ducati "better in all areas compared to the GP23"

Francesco Bagnaia, Qatar MotoGP test, 20 February
Francesco Bagnaia, Qatar MotoGP test, 20 February

Reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia has warned that the 2024 Ducati now feels “b▨etter in all a🔴reas” than last year’s machine.

The Italian wil🔥l start his quest for a third premier-class crown having been qu🔜ickest, with record-breaking lap times, during both the Sepang and Qatar tests.

Bagnaia 🌺began the final Qatar outing with a few lingering doubts over the latest Ducati fairing and throttle connection, but left Lusail as the only rider to lap in the 1m 50s.

“🥂What makes me most happy is the feeling that♈ I'm having with the bike,” Bagnaia told MotoGP.com. “Sometimes I was missing that last year.

“But this year my feeling with 🌌the bike has increased. I think right now it's better in all areas compared to the GP23. So we can be very satisf🥃ied with the job done.”

Nonetheless, with team-mate Enea Bastianini second on the timesheets, Gresini🎶's Marc Marquez in fourth and three Aprilias in the top six, Bagnaia insi♐sts he won’t be short of rivals.

“Aprilia also yesterday was fast and Marc did a good step in front in terms of time attack. I don't know the pace because I honestly didn🦋't see anything, but we will discover the potential of every rider in the race weekend,” he said.

“Bu♌t for sure Aprilia, KTM, ꦬand all the Ducatis are fast right now.

“Yamaha ཧand Honda maybe need more time beca༺use the speed is there but they miss something on traction I think.”

Average lap time during longer runs, Qatar Test - Day 2

  • Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) 1m 52.106s (7 laps)
  • Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 1m 52.430s (7 laps)
  • Fabio di Giannantonio (Ducati) 1m 52.533s (11 laps)
  • Enea Bastianini (Ducati) 1m 52.541s (10 laps)
  • Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati) 1m 52.951s (9 laps)
  • Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) 1m 53.042s (10 laps)
  • Brad Binder (KTM) 1m 53.224s (22 laps)
  • Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) 1m 53.322s (17 laps)
  • Takaaki Nakagami (Honda) 1m 53.544s (14 laps)
  • Jack Miller (KTM) 1m 53.614s (8 laps)
  • Alex Marquez (Ducati) 1m 53.693s (18 laps)
  • Pedro Acosta (KTM) 1m 53.710s (18 laps*)
  • Luca Marini (Honda) 1m 53.840s (14 laps)
  • Johann Zarco (Honda) 1m 53.876s (10 laps)
  • Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia) 1m 54.005s (10 laps)
  • Augusto Fernandez (KTM) 1m 54.076 (13 laps*)

*Slow laps removed

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront ofꦿ the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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