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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1494803
Bagnaia Blitzes The Pack at Portimao A t the close of preseason test- ing for 2023, one name and one name alone rang out—Fran- cesco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati). He is the man the current Mo- toGP grid fears after he convinc- ingly topped the two-day outing at the Algarve International Cir- cuit in Portugal thanks to a new lap record of 1:37.968s. Bagnaia was one of eight reasons why this was a near- flawless preseason for Ducati, the current triple-crown holders. He declared himself "100 per- cent prepared" for the opening round, and already appears fully at home aboard the improved GP23. His two 12-lap Sprint simulations on the final day was testament to that, with few others capable of matching his explosive early speed. But there were hints that 2023 won't simply be a Ducati white- wash. Aprilia had another strong showing, its RS-GP clearly the second-best bike on the grid. The final day saw crucial improve- ments for the previously frus- trated Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha), the only non- Ducati rider in the top eight in third place. Likewise, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) and Marc Mar- quez (Repsol Honda)–ninth and 14th respectively–gave indica- tions they can drag their respec- tive factories from the mire and into the mix through spring. Ducati That the only negative of the weekend was Fabio Di Giannan- tonio (Gresini Ducati) missing day two due to a concussion sus- tained on Saturday. That misfor- tune aside, Ducati is the manu- facturer entering a season in the strongest shape since Honda in 2003. Each of the seven other riders demonstrated they could be in the running for a podium finish at the opening round. All were in the top eight with five under the lap record. After steady development work, the GP23 is up to speed, with Bagnaia feeling slight im- provements across the board. "Every part we tested and everything we moved in terms of settings, in terms of development was good, so we improved." Even Enea Bastianini (Lenovo Ducati)—plagued by reliability is- sues on day one, which resulted in a loss of confidence—came good on Sunday, with his Sprint simulation showing he isn't a million miles off his teammate. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a Ducati lock out the front row and both podiums in a fortnight's time. Aprilia Clearly the best of the rest at Sepang last month, Aprilia's for - tunes were slightly more compli- cated here. Its four riders looked fast at certain moments across days one and two. But factory bosses will be nervously await- ing the results from Aleix Espar- garo's (Aprilia Racing) medical checks on Monday morning after a suspected case of fibrosis in his right arm slowed the factory's testing program down. A variety of different aero parts were brought, including winglets attached to the bike's forks, and others bolted to the RS-GP's swingarm. Yet the full 2023 engine that was expected here won't be available until round one. Optimism on Satur- day was dimmed slightly on Sun- day by an engine-braking gremlin which slowed Maverick Vinales' race simulation. Yet both fac- Pecco Bagnaia's in perilous form right now and starts the season as the clear favorite. WIND IN THE P34