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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1515845
grid's best bike was left disap- pointed. The GP24 is punchier out of turns and retains the good handling characteristics of its predecessor. "The braking's im- proved a lot," said Bagnaia. "Last year, I was struggling there. With this bike, it looks more similar to the '22, which was helping me more in corner entry." The second fastest, Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati), wasn't initially enamored with a differ - ent aero package, while Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini (Lenovo Ducati) were. By the final day, it had won him over. Both he and Bagnaia already appear ready to race, with the world number- one stating he only needs to test a variety of power maps in the upcoming Qatar test. Surely, a factory that amassed 17 victories from 20, the only way is down. But the reality is Ducati should be even stronger this year, with Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) joining their ranks and factory team manager Davide Tardozzi stating Bastiani - ni, who finished third, is showing signs of returning to the rider that lit up the series in 2022. Of those who did a 10-lap Sprint simulation, Aleix Espargaro was the only non-Ducati in the fastest six names. As it was a year ago, the red bikes are ominously fast across the board. MARQUEZ UP TO SPEED There were a few exasperated looks on day one. But Marc Marquez left Malaysia where he wanted to be after a fruitful test at Sepang. The eight-time World Champion had repeatedly stated the three-day outing would be a real chance to gauge his po - tential with the year-old Ducati GP23, as it's a track he counts among his weakest. And despite being frustrated on day one of the tests by a suc - cession of mechanical issues that delayed his adaptation, Marquez was not just fast over a single lap come the final day (6th, 0.58 of a second off pace - setter Bagnaia). he was consis- tent. His 10-lap Sprint simulation was just 2.6 seconds slower than the fastest of the test. Not bad for a rider who was still working on basic ergonomic setup, like where to precisely place the footpegs, handlebar and front brake, throughout the test. Marquez was essentially undoing his habits and instincts built up riding Honda's RC213V over 11 years. "It is a completely different riding style," he said of the adaptation to Ducati's Des - mosedici. "Basically, I was used to riding a lot with the front and massive pickup with the Honda. But the Ducati, you are using more the rear [and] the way to use the rear tire is different." The 30-year-old (and turning 31 on February 17) was only too happy to point out how the defi - cit to Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Mar- tin and Enea Bastianini, Ducati's fastest runners, was significant at the close of the final day. But compatriot Martin wasn't buying any of it. "He will be really close and maybe ready for the victory in Qatar," said the Pramac man. ACOSTA AMAZES On this evidence, it's time to be- lieve the hype. He may not have topped the first official test of 2024, but Pedro Acosta amazed the watching world in Malaysia, breaking the previous lap record and demonstrating he will surely be a force in his rookie MotoGP season. Acosta's performances across the three days—and in VOLUME 61 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 13, 2024 P29 Marc Marquez not only showed he's fast on the Ducati but also consistent.