First test for Ducati bosses as Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia reunite at COTA

Ducati won't want to see two of their main men in the gravel again
Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marc Marquez and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Francesco Bagnaia will come together agai🏅n at the Circuit of the Americas, forဣ the first time since their clash.

Bagnaia wiped out Marquez at the Portuguese MotoGP last time out, in a battle for fifth-position.

Instead, ﷽they ended up in the gravel and point-less allowing Jorge Martin to escape Portimao as the championship leader.

The clash between🦄 Marquez and Bagnaia, although a racing incident, is the firs🧔t test of Ducati’s management this year.

It was ꩲal🧸ways likely that the addition to the Ducati ranks of a star like Marquez would cause some friction with title rivals.

Gigi Dall’Igna was extremely careful in his post-race debrief not to apportio✤n any blame to either rider.

What have they said behind-closed-doors to Bagnaia and Marquez to avoid a repeat incident? Have they said an🌃y♛thing at all?

They certainly won’t want to see two of their main men in th🥃e gravel again.

Marquez and Bagnaia also denied any ill f♋eeling between them.

“We have a🍸 good relationship with Pecc𓆏o,” Marquez said. “No problem.

“He knows what he did. He knows what mistake he 🍷did.

“I accept that these things happen in races.”

Bagnaia insiste𝔍d it was bad luck:&🌺nbsp;“It’s something that, unluckily, can happen.”

Marquez debuts at favourite track on a Ducati

Marquez💦 has won at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas seven times.

This year, he rꦆeturns on a Ducati for the ♓first time.

Many within the paddock believe that, after two productive rounds, this weekend wil♏l reveal if Marquez is a true title contender.

Gresini prepared for Texas by releasing imagery of Marquez as ‘The Martian’, from M𒁏att Damon’s movie.

But despite his 🅰extra-terrestrial skills on this track, he will find stiff competition.

Enea Bastianini, who has quietly found form t🤪his year, won in Texas for Gresini ♉in 2022.

Last year LCR Honda’s Alex Rins won ahead o☂f VR46’𒀰s Luca Marini showing the possibility of a surprise result.

Marquez꧒ hasn’t won a MotoGP race since October 2021 in Misano.

Journalist Robert Jones told the Crash Mꦉot🥃oGP podcast: “He has to be eyeing up a win.

“Now, with the added element of a sprint, if Marquez doesn’t win at least one of the r♌aces he would leave COTA disappointed.”

♐Peter McLaren added: “Everything is there♛ for Marc to do well. Qualifying will be key.

“It will🦩 be a big part of the weekend for everybody but🎉 especially for Marc to avoid front tyre pressure problems.

“If he can get𝔍 to the front early? You wouldn’t count out him getting to the front and disappear꧙ing!”

Read More