The MotoGP season has been a rollercoaster for Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi, who admits it started as a 'nightmare'.
Following the Sepang pre-season test, where Ducati's five riders finished inside the top six, including reigning champion Marc Marquez, Tardozzi was confident in their prospects. However, Aprilia's sudden surge between Sepang and the final test at Buriram caught him off guard.
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin dominated the opening races, winning the first three grands prix and a Sprint victory, respectively. This left Ducati struggling with only a single Sprint success. Tardozzi's initial optimism quickly turned into surprise, as he admitted, 'Honestly, yes, I was surprised by Aprilia's early-season strength.'
Despite this setback, Ducati eventually found its rhythm, with Alex Marquez securing their first grand prix victory at Jerez, followed by Fabio di Giannantonio's win at Catalunya. Pecco Bagnaia's podium finish in Catalunya was a highlight, but it came at a cost as team-mate Marc Marquez missed the event due to an undiagnosed compressed radial nerve in his right arm.
Marquez's recovery has been a slow process, and Tardozzi is realistic about his return to full fitness. He estimates that it will take at least one, possibly two, more months for Marquez to be back to his peak form. This delay has been a double-edged sword, as it has given Ducati time to close the gap, but it has also meant that Marquez has been unable to challenge for wins.
The season has been filled with twists and turns, including a first-corner accident at the European rounds that eliminated Aprilia's Bezzecchi and Ducati's di Giannantonio. This incident allowed Marquez to cut 30 points from Bezzecchi's championship lead, although he remains 72 points behind. Tardozzi acknowledges the importance of this weekend, but he also recognizes the strength of their competitors.
Despite the challenges, Tardozzi remains optimistic, stating, 'We had bad luck in the beginning of the season. We know that 44 races can have different results and different situations during each weekend. And we'll see.' The team's resilience and determination to overcome setbacks are a testament to their commitment to the sport, and fans can expect more thrilling moments as the season progresses.
