Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1431989
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 23, 2021 P123 back past 2020 champion Joan Mir's Suzuki to badger early leader and pole starter Jorge Martin to the line, the trio past the flag in eight tenths of a second. "With this bike, we've all been confident. We've found a great package that works fantastic, and we don't have to touch it. I think that's the thing; getting time on the same bike, as it's been for two years." Underlining the point, Martin's Pramac Ducati teammate Jo- hann Zarco was sixth, less than two seconds behind flummoxed new champion Quartararo. Only the sweet-handling Su- zukis had challenged. Alex Rins fell off in the attempt, while Mir managed to threaten for a while in third, only to fall back and out of touch, flabbergasted at their performance. By season's end, Ducati were dominant. Yet in a way it was an opportunity lost. Three different Ducati riders won seven of 18 races. Yamaha riders won six races. But crucially, Quartararo won five of those. No Ducati rider won more than four. Diluting the effort cost points to the individual riders, racing each other as well as the oppo- sition. Something similar happened in 2020. Three Yamaha riders won seven of 13 races. But this meant taking points away from one another. Joan Mir won the title by accumulating podiums at tracks that suited the Suzuki, and by not having to share the honors with other riders on the same bike. He only took a single win, but he didn't have to give away any other valuable scores. Ducati's superiority has been achieved by innovations—the first to use wings, plus front and rear suspension squatting. Variable geometry that directly addressed the machine's notorious reluc- tance to turn. It is a matter of clearly focused development. Strength maintained, weakness- es addressed. Where Yamaha and Suzuki riders can enjoy well-balanced machines with a sophisticated blend of rounded performance, Ducatis offer particular strengths which may be more jagged, but pay dividends when used in anger. Stable braking makes them hard to pass going into corners, fearsome acceleration and bounding top speed does the same on exit. The others might be smoother and even faster mid-corner … but so what? They're stuck behind. For next year, engine devel- opments will be allowed. The others can try to catch up, but Ducati also have the chance to improve further. The same goes for other aspects. Ducati lead in all areas. But another innovation may cost the riders dear: the acquisi- tion of the Gresini team, along with Rossi's takeover of the Esponsorama outfit, brings the number of Ducatis on the grid to eight. Against four Hondas, Ya- mahas and KTMs, and two each of Aprilia and Suzuki. The quality of riders is as high as the horsepower figures: race winners Bagnaia, Miller and super-rookie Martin are backed by the likes of Zarco and the other 2021 super-rookie Enea Bastianini. Notably, they are mainly young riders, quick to adapt to changing technical re- quirements: witness the general strength of rookies this year ver- sus the decline of veteran Rossi. Ducati have a dazzling array of talent for 2022. Will it prove to be too much of a good thing? CN Three different Ducati riders won seven of 18 races. Yamaha riders won six races. But crucially, Quartararo won five of those. No Ducati rider won more than four.