MotoGP, it’s Ducati’s year: more trump cards as it aims for the title

The 2022 MotoGP season has officially begun. Not with the races, but with testing, at Sepang, with sessions that have given us a first taste of what we might see during this year’s championship.

The revelation? Ducati. Although, seeing how the 2021 season ended, with so many wins for Francesco Bagnaia, it’s not so much of a revelation. But it wasn’t just the Italian who proved quick in Malaysia, and this will make for an even more exciting season, in which Ducati will undoubtedly play a starring role.

Bastianini straight on the attack

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The red Ducati armada can count on eight riders this year, across the factory, Pramac, Gresini and VR46 teams. Last year, when the Italian manufacturer announced its teams for the 2022 championship, some weren’t keen on the idea of eight bikes, thinking that so many could see Ducati lose its way. Too much work, too much investment, and yet, following the Malaysia tests, these claims already appear baseless.

The fastest rider at Sepang was in fact Enea Bastianini, aboard a 2021 Desmosedici. The team Gresini rider also set a new track record as he worked both on his bike’s setting and on a qualifying-style time attack, the Italian’s weak point. Riding a new bike (with respect to last season), the Italian’s feedback was of course positive, also considering that he’d never ridden a MotoGP bike at Sepang before. Further back on the timesheets at the end of the two-day test was his team-mate, and rookie, Fabio Di Giannantonio. He is in a different boat to Enea of course and needs to first adapt to the category, but he’s not short on talent and is clearly keen to learn.

Bagnaia the strong point

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As for the factory team, the focus was different. Francesco Bagnaia (sixth overall) tested the 2022 Desmosedici and was enthusiastic about it, but did not have time for a time attack, as he had to work on new elements, including a new lowering device, a real talking point right now. He nevertheless set a very fast time, just 0.134 from Bastianini, the talented Italian clearly back on track and ready to power his Ducati to dizzy heights once again this season. Pramac rider Jorge Martin was also quick, setting the third fastest time. The 2022 season seems to have got off to a good start for him too and, together with Bagnaia and Bastianini, he will be another one to watch. Meanwhile, Jack Miller, Johann Zarco and Luca Marini had a few issues. Nothing serious but, for one reason or another, they didn’t particularly shine during the test. Miller has just had Covid and Marini had problems with the bike on the first day. But let’s not forget Marco Bezzecchi’s performance, the VR46 rider proving to be the best rookie on track over the two days.

The Ducati squadron has many stars ready to shine and, having started the season as they have, they clearly have what it takes to fight for the title. Could 2022 be their year? After many years of hard work, it looks as if they are on the path to success – focusing on young riders has definitely proved to be the right thing to do!

Translated by Heather Watson

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