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/1490735
DUCATI LAUNCHES 2023 CONTENDER: DON'T FIX WHAT ISN'T BROKEN A side from the somewhat labored revelation that its two reigning World Champi- ons—Pecco Bagnaia in MotoGP and Alvaro Bautista in World- SBK—will run the number-one plates during their respective title defenses, the real interest at Ducati's swanky 2023 team launch was seeing the two men who battled hardest on track last year wearing the same colors and talking openly about their hopes for the MotoGP season ahead. No one pushed Bagnaia hard - er on track than Enea Bastianini did throughout 2022, a year when the pair shared 11 wins between them. Riding in Gresini Ducati colors on a year-old bike, Bastianini consistently gave the impression that leaving a mark on his future teammate in high- tension battles at Misano, Ara - gon and Sepang was of greater importance than the greater good of Ducati—a development that enriched the final chapters of last year's series, even if it appeared to shorten the lifespan of Ducati management. Replacing genial Jack Miller, many have predicted there will be none of the same friendli - ness from the past two years in the Ducati garage now that Bastianini is adorned in factory red. But, speaking at the launch held in a ski resort in Madonna di Campiglio in Northern Italy, all involved in the project were keen to stress the intensity witnessed in last year's key battles will be more restrained and respectful throughout the 21 races ahead. "We've known each other for a long time, from when we were racing with the pocket bikes," said Bagnaia, when asked to describe his new teammate. "The correct answer is he's a bastard," came the quip. "But no, he's a smart and very com - petitive guy. We want the same thing, and we will do the maxi- mum to achieve it. So, the battle between us will be intense, but we have to be intelligent and respectful to have a good rela - tionship. "It'll be different because with Jack, everything was settled already. With Enea, everything starts from zero and the battle of last year made a lot of noise. We are both Italian, people are always searching for duels. So, it's more from outside, this pressure. But it wasn't like this. We have a great relationship. We were always speaking. It will be very important to be smart this year, to understand that we have to [work] together to be in front and then in the race is another story. Everyone can do what they want to do, but in the box, we have to work well and I think P42 we are smart enough to under- stand that." Sporting Director Paolo Cia- batti was also keen to stress the new responsibilities Bastianini has this year. "The relationship with Pecco and Jack was a special one," Ciabatti said. "They were also teammates in Pramac for two years before. I would say I never saw something similar in all my career between the two teammates. "Now Enea is in a factory team. When you're in a factory team, you're going to have the