Dall’Igna: “Bagnaia? It was time to part ways. Ducati keeps the same mindset, but young Italian talent is lacking”

How does it feel to be the General Manager of Ducati Corse during the manufacturer's centenary year? "Ducati is a fabulous, exceptional brand. Being part of its history is already an honor, and being part of it as General Manager is almost overwhelming because you feel the weight of something truly significant. The uniqueness of Ducati is best demonstrated by the crowds that gathered for the World Ducati Week (WDW).”

Ducati has won the last four MotoGP riders' titles: hunting for a fifth consecutive crown is proving more complicated than expected. "It’s part of the game. Simply put, someone else came into the start of the season better prepared than us, both in terms of the bike and the riders' form. However, we are gradually recovering on both fronts: we are close and we have achieved some clear victories. We aren’t at 100% yet, and we still need to make some adjustments, but we are halfway through the season and we will do everything possible to win."

After years of being the prey, you have returned to being the hunters. How does that feel? "It makes sense that after years of our dominance, someone made a big step forward. It doesn’t scare me; if anything, it gives me more motivation to work hard and to inspire those who follow me to do the exact same.”

Regarding rider market choices and contract durations: "I have never been a fan of excessively long contracts: two-year deals represent the right duration. They offer stability, but also leave everyone involved with a free hand if something isn't working out. I think I will sign two-year contracts forever.”

On the separation from Francesco Bagnaia: "Bagnaia? It was time to part ways. Ducati keeps the same mindset, but young Italian talent is lacking. And we say this with pride. Unfortunately, it is a matter of fact that we no longer see young Italian talents emerging, and this heavily impacts the 'Italian identity' of our system. Then again, Ducati has also become famous thanks to foreign riders who became icons of the brand. Ultimately, it is an international brand."

MotoGP

Dall’Igna: “Bagnaia? Era ora di separarsi. Ducati ha la stessa mentalità, ma mancano giovani italiani”