MotoGP India 2023: Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia on the 2023 Season & More

Before he sets the track on fire over the coming weekend, we managed to sit down with 2023 MotoGP championship leader and reigning world champion, Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, or as he is more fondly known as Pecco. Pecco’s last two races have been a bit of a struggle with a horrific crash in Catalunya that he managed to walk away from almost unscathed. Here’s him sharing his thoughts on the journey so far, the lighter side of life and what more we can expect from him in the coming few races

The Riders Have Been Great

When asked how the Ducati bike has transformed from a straight line missile to a complete and almost faultless package, Pecco just has the riders to credit for it, and for good reason. “The riders we did such an incredible job with all the 8 bikes, for sure we improved a bit the feeling with the tyres, we improved a bit the feeling with the way to work with our bike. At the start, the old mentality from Ducati was just to brake hard and stop the bike. Right now, it is brake hard, yes, but corner speed is even more important. We did a really good job on that and a really great step in front.”

No doubt, because Ducati fields eight bikes, four GP23s and four GP22s, the latter being the same one that Pecco won his maiden championship in 2022. And with so many riders providing such data, it is bound that the Italian marque is going to put it to good use.

They Are My Biggest Rivals Also

While Pecco admits the riders have made the Ducati such a great bike, it also comes with its cons. For instance, he isn’t competing with any other brand’s racer for the crown like he did in 2022 and unsuccessfully in 2021. This year, his threats are from satellite teams’ Jorge Martin and Pecco’s dear friend, Marco Bezzecchi. “It's difficult because they can see everything perfectly. The data we have is that I can see the data of Martin, he can see my data or Bezzecchi. So, this is for sure increasing the level of Ducati but it's also very difficult to improve in some areas that other bikes don't see. So, it's more difficult but if you are able to work well all day.”

Improving Respectfully With The Academy

Speaking of friends, Pecco is the star of the famous VR46 Racing Academy, created by the legendary nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi to nurture and boost the chances of promising Italian talents. And next year, the four MotoGP stars of this academy will be riding Ducatis, Pecco on the factory bike, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi on the Mooney VR46 bikes and Franco Morbidelli on the Pramac Racing bike. He shares his thoughts on the motivation and morale that the academy provides, “It's a great combination. Absolutely, right now for next year all the four Ducati, all the four Academy riders in the MotoGP will ride for Ducati. It means that the (VR46) academy is the best academy in the world. We know perfectly that the respect between us is the most important thing. And that working together is important, we are improving every time. We are friends, we know each other from a long time, this is pushing us to improve.”

When asked about the joker of the academy, “It's difficult (to pick one). But between (Andrea) Migno and Bez (Bezzecchi).”

India Could Be Very Good For Us

Even though it is better all across the track, the Ducati still remains incredible in a straight line. And the BIC has a kilometre long straight. So putting two and two together, and the Italian bikes are bound to be the quickest ones here. “Yesterday, I did a walking lap and I will do another one after. Because I think it's important to know everything well. The layout of the track is great, I like it. I think it's very smooth but also technical so it will be important to understand that.”

“I'm looking forward to that because I think it could be a good track for us, for our bike and for myself. I think for the hard braking will be key but also corner 1, corner 3, corner 4, and last corner, this could be good for us. It will be important to be very smooth on the technical part because it's new for everybody, so understand before every line is important so it will be interesting to try.”

Easy, Focus On Doing The Best

In Catalunya, Pecco suffered a massive highside on the opening lap itself. To make matters worse, a competitor ran over his leg. If it was anybody but these gods, it would’ve been a broken leg for sure. But he was just lucky to escape with a minor bruising and limping. With the championship showdown in full swing, here’s what his mindset is going into the final eight rounds:

“It's ok, my legs are ok. Let's see, the second part of the season will be tough. For the amount of races in a short time. But I think we just have to continue working like we are doing. Compared to last year we are in a better condition, better situation and we can manage a lot the points. But it's not enough. The amount of gap we have right now, we will work, we will continue like we were doing all the first part of the season just trying to reopen the gap like it was before the last two races.”

I Want The Desert Sled And Hypermotard

When speaking about his favourite road going Ducati, Pecco simply said, “I love the Panigale, obviously. I train on it, so yeah. But there are two others. The Scrambler Desert Sled. Just so beautiful and full purposeful. And finally, the Hypermotard. I love it because it is crazy and light.”