presentation ducati motogp 2023

• Valentino Rossi
• Marc Marquez
• Francis Bagnaia
• fabio quartararo
• Marco Simoncelli
• Marco Bezzecchi
• Franco Morbidelli

MotoGP | Ducati 2023: presentation tomorrow in Madonna di Campiglio

World champion francesco bagnaia and enea bastianini aboard the official desmosedici.

Ducati MotoGP 2023 presentation – The Ducati MotoGP will be presented tomorrow 23 January and will start the 2023 MotoGP with the World Champion Francesco Bagnaia and the new entry Enea Bastianini.

The official presentation of the 2023 Ducati Lenovo Team will take place in the evocative setting of Madonna di Campiglio and can also be followed live streaming from our website as well as on the ducati.com web page and on the Ducati YouTube channel.

We remind you that the 2023 MotoGP will start from Europe and precisely in Portimao on March 26, while the first official tests will start in Sepang from February 10 to 12 and subsequently in Portimao on March 11 and 12 ( click here for the complete program including Moto3 and Moto2. )

Ducati will field 8 bikes again this year. In addition to the two official ones, those of the Pramac Team of Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco, those of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team of Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi and those of the Gresini Team of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

2023 MotoGP Team presentation dates

January 17: Monster Energy Yamaha 21 January: Gresini Racing MotoGP January 23: Ducati Lenovo 25 January: First Pramac Racing January 26: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing February 25: Repsol Honda Team 04 March: Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing March 10: Aprilia Racing March 16: RNF MotoGP Team TBC: LCR Honda TBC: Mooney VR46 Racing Team

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Live - suivez la présentation de l'équipe ducati, suivez en direct la présentation de l'équipe officielle ducati, qui dévoile ses couleurs pour la saison 2023 avec ses pilotes, le champion du monde en titre pecco bagnaia et son nouveau coéquipier enea bastianini..

La ronde des présentations d'équipe est lancée depuis une semaine, venant rappeler que le début de la saison 2023 approche à grands pas. Après Yamaha et Gresini Racing, c'est maintenant au tour de Ducati de dévoiler les couleurs sous lesquelles Pecco Bagnaia et Enea Bastianini courront en MotoGP. Comme autrefois, le constructeur italien a donné rendez-vous dans la station de Madonna di Campiglio, au cœur des Dolomites, où sont réunies ses équipes MotoGP et WorldSBK, qui vont toutes deux défendre leur titre cette année.

Mais c'est surtout la livrée de la machine qui intéressera pour le moment, puisqu'un certain secret va perdurer pendant quelque temps encore autour du profil définitif de la nouvelle GP23, que l'on verra en piste la semaine prochaine lors du shakedown du test de Sepang, puis du 10 au 12 février lors de la séance officielle.

On sait toutefois qu'à l'inverse de l'an passé, où une fois encore le constructeur avait montré qu'il était à la pointe en matière d'innovation en dévoilant lors des tests hivernaux un système d'abaissement avant qui avait créé la polémique, cette fois la prudence est de mise dans le développement et aucune grosse évolution ne devrait apparaître sur la GP23. Les erreurs qui avaient rendu instable le début du championnat 2022 ont été analysées pour démarrer 2023 de la meilleure façon possible avec deux prétendants au titre dans le box officiel.

Bagnaia s'apprête en effet à remettre sa couronne en jeu et aura évidemment pour objectif de mieux commencer sa saison qu'il ne l'a fait l'année dernière, ainsi que de gagner en régularité, ses erreurs en course lui ayant coûté très cher à plusieurs reprises. Fort de son expérience, il va tenter de permettre à Ducati d'enchaîner pour la première fois sur un deuxième titre, mais la tâche ne s'annonce pas aisée avec des adversaires redoutables face à lui, à commencer par son propre coéquipier.

Bastianini lui a en effet donné du fil à retordre en 2022 en n'hésitant pas à lui mettre la pression en course malgré sa place à l'époque dans le team indépendant Gresini. Ses performances, dont quatre victoires, lui ont valu d'être promu dans l'équipe officielle, où il va désormais bénéficier du même matériel que son compatriote. La rivalité entre les deux hommes n'effraie néanmoins pas Ducati , qui voit plutôt du positif dans le fait de disposer de ces deux talents dans son équipe d'usine.

La présentation est à suivre en direct via la vidéo ci-dessus à partir de 10h30.

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Les dates des présentations MotoGP 2023

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Video: así fue la presentación de la ducati motogp 2023, así fue el 'campioni in pista’, donde se presentaron las motos de ducati para motogp y worldsbk 2023, con bagnaia, bastianini y bautista..

Vive en directo el vídeo de la presentación de la temporada 2023 de Ducati, en la que nos mostrarán cómo serán las GP23 de Pecco Bagnaia y Enea Bastianini . Los de Borgo Panigale desvelarán su nueva montura como parte del evento 'Campioni in pista', en el que también se presentará la estructura italiana para WorldSBK, con Álvaro Bautista al frente. El evento dará comienzo el lunes 23 de enero, a las 10:30h de España y las 07:30h de México.

Será el tercer equipo en mostrar al mundo los colores con los que competirán en 2023, después de que Yamaha lo hiciese el pasado 17 de enero y Gresini el 21 de enero. El enclave en el que se llevará a cabo la presentación será sumamente especial: la estación de esquí de  Madonna di Campiglio , en los montes Dolomitas situados al norte de Italia.

Más de quince años después, Ducati llegará a la cita inaugural en defensa del título , tras un 2022 en el que se alzaron con las coronas de pilotos, equipos y fabricantes. Los de Tardozzi completaron un último curso de menos a más, con un Pecco Bagnaia especialmente inspirado en la segunda mitad de año que logró remontar una desventaja de hasta 91 puntos con Fabio Quartararo . 

Sin embargo, eso no quita que la GP22 empezase la temporada sin estar al nivel requerido . El motor se demostró poco eficiente, y el #63 optó por descartarlo poco antes del inicio del calendario. El primer tercio de año estuvo marcado por la falta de entendimiento entre los pilotos oficiales y su montura, mientras que los que llevaban la GP21, como Enea Bastianini, ganaban carreras. 

Será precisamente 'La Bestia' quien ocupe el segundo puesto del box de fábrica en 2023, sustituyendo a Jack Miller . El #33 se demostró como uno de los principales rivales de Pecco una vez superado el ecuador de la última temporada, y lo lógico es pensar que en el curso que arrancará en marzo volverá a luchar por las plazas de honor. 

La primera vez que podremos ver en acción la GP23 de 2023 será en el shakedown del 5 al 7 de febrero en Sepang, al que solo pueden acudir los pilotos probadores. Luego, los titulares tomarán el mando de sus prototipo en el mismo circuito, en Malasia, del viernes 10 al domingo 12. 

Apunta el resto de fechas de las presentaciones de los equipos de MotoGP 2023

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News MotoGP.com

MotoGP 2023: Gresini Racing presentation live!

by Eric Martin | Jan 21, 2023

From Cervia, next to its base in Faenza, the Gresini Racing team now led by Nadia Padovani presents this morning its 2023 team, made up of Alex Marquez et Fabio DiGiannantonio in MotoGP, Jeremy Alcove et Filip Sala č in Moto2, Matteo Ferrari and Alessio Finello in MotoE.

En MotoGP , a few red stripes bring dynamism to the Gresini blue of the Ducati GP22 unveiled in the presence also of Luca Gresini , Team Manager in Moto2 and Moto3 and Carlo Merlini , Sales Director, during an unusual artistic show.

En Moto2 , the Kalex are called QJ Motor, after the name of the Chinese manufacturer.

In MotoE, sponsor Felo is clearly visible on the all-new Ducati V21L…

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MotoGP 2023

Ducati: una presentaci?n de n?meros uno.

Muestra las motos de 2023 de los campeones de MotoGP y Superbike, Bagnaia y Bautista con el distintivo de sus t�tulos de 2022

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• As� es su nueva arma. La 'pesadilla' de Ducati de 2023

S on los n�meros 1 en MotoGP y Superbike y as� quedar� plasmado en todo 2023. Ducati se lo gan� en 2022 y sus campeones, Pecco Bagnaia y �lvaro Bautista , lucir�n ese dorsal en ambos campeonatos. Ya se hab�a filtrado, pero qued� plena constancia de ello en la presentaci�n de sus escuadras en Madonna di Campiglio . Son los rivales a batir y el reto s�lo es uno para los italianos: repetir.

Todo comenz� con el discurso de Claudio Domenicali , el administrador delegado (CEO) de Ducati. "El aa�o 2022 fue muy importante para nosotros y deb�amos hacer algo especial. Por eso venimos a Madonna di Campiglio. Venimos de un a�o extraordinario, el primero de nuestra historia en el que fuimos campeones de MotoGP y Superbike. Como pilotos, pero tambi�n como equipos y marcas. Fue un a�o �ptimo, el mejor de nuestra historia en lo deportivo y en ventas, con m�s de 60.000 motos vendidas. Todos los indicadores nos dan un 2023 proyectado como excelente. La empresa est� creciendo. Nos gusta definirnos como capaces de crear un combinaci�n m�gica de tecnolog�a, calidad y belleza", proclam�.

A continuaci�n, Gigi Dall'Igna , el director general del departamento de carreras, no puso reparos a lo que los espera. He tenido muchos desaf�os en mi vida y me gusta superarlos. �Repetir? Es un desaf�o muy dif�cil. Las estad�sticas nos dicen que muy pocos lo lograron. Es complicado, pero nos gusta ganar. Estamos aqu� para eso. Queremos usar la modestia , que es una cualidad muy importante en la vida", afirm�.

El gur� 'ducatista' se cort� algo sobre sus ideas, las que atormentar�n al resto. "Es verdad que estos a�os Ducati ha introducido muchas novedades, tantas como para cambiar MotoGP. Ten�amos que tomar riesgos porque los otros ten�an ventaja. Pero el a�o pasado aprendimos que estar 'parados' tambi�n puede ser bueno. Habr� m�s novedades en aerodin�mica , que se ver�n en el test de Sepang, pero no hay que desilusionarse si alguna se descarta", expuso. Para el certamen de las motos de serie, igualmente hay variaciones. "Ducati presenta un modelo completamente nuevo , aprovechamos todas sus novedades, sobre todo en el motor. Espero que podamos aprovechar uno de los puntos fuertes que ya ten�amos el a�o pasado", asever�.

Lleg� el turno para Paolo Ciabatti , el director deportivo. "Ver las im�genes de 2022 me pone la piel de gallina. Logramos con Bagnaia y Bastinini 11 victorias en 20 carreras. Con ellos y Bautista y Rinaldi tendremos un equipo fort�simo en cada Mundial. El objetivo es repetir en ambos , aunque no ser� f�cil", dijo a la par que anunciaba que Monster es su nuevo patrocinador principal "para varios a�os".

Al fin, aparecieron los pilotos. Bautista , ya con 38 a�os, es incombustible. "Me divierto pilotando todav�a, es la mejor motivaci�n, tengo esa pasi�n dentro. Esto me da fuerza para seguir. Todav�a tengo que dar un poco m�s", lanz�.

Bastinanini tambi�n mostr� su ambici�n. "La de 2022 fue una de mis mejores temporadas, pero empieza una nueva aventura, la responsabilidad es importante . Creo que haremos un buen trabajo. Tenemos todas las cartas para hacerlo bien", asegur�.

Rinaldi lanz� un reto a su compa�ero. "Me falta un poco de velocidad en cada carrera, pero mi objetivo no cambia: jugarme el Mundial. Espero que este a�o el equipo luche con dos pilotos por el t�tulo y veamos en la �ltima carrera qui�n lo consigue", advirti�.

Motos con el '1'

Lleg� el momento m�s esperado: ver las nuevas motos. L�gicamente, destacaban los n�meros '1' en los carenados. Bagnaia expuso el porqu�. "El '63' se queda, pero peque�o, aunque grande en el casco. Pens� que el '1' hace mucho que no se ve en MotoGP (desde 2012 con Stoner). Siempre admir� a los que lo llevaban. El '1' representa qui�n eres. Es el homenaje al a�o pasado ", explic�.

Bautista ten�a otras razones. "Ten�a la idea de llevar siempre el '19', pero al ganar el Mundial y ver el '1' sobre la moto... s�lo recordaba la Ducati con el '1' en Superbike. Ser� un gran reto porque con el '1' el �nico resultado que sirve es ganar, es un desaf�o personal. Mi hija de tres a�os me dec�a que mi n�mero es el '1' con el '19' y eso llevar�", confes�.

Aspirtantes

Bastinini no ocult� d�nde mejorar en una de las novedades del curso: las carreras al sprint. "Es una motivaci�n m�s. Con 42 carreras ser� duro. Ser� importante ser constantes. Hasta ahora, me bloqueaba la sesi�n de clasificaci�n de los s�bados. Soy un poco di�sel , es una aventura", expuso.

Rinaldi se ve listo. "No es una presi�n, sino una motivaci�n. Sabes que tienes una moto competitiva, con el '1' al lado, te da energ�a. Esta moto es el sue�o de muchos pilotos", admiti�.

Todo concluy� con Domenicali recordando el reto. " Daremos el m�ximo para repetir, con todos nuestros recursos. Gigi dice que no pasa normalmente, pero lo intentaremos", lanz�.

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Motorsport prime

The motogp civil war threat ducati must now delicately manage, the first flashpoint of the 2024 motogp season for ducati came last weekend at the portuguese grand prix, as marc marquez and francesco bagnaia came to blows..

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OPINION: While deemed a racing incident by the stewards, differing opinions on the clash have put Ducati in a delicate position as it faces its biggest test of the year

The clamour and the clatter of incensed keys could be heard across the world last Sunday at 2:39pm local time in Portugal, as social media was whipped into a frenzy over the clash between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia . 

It was an incident that Ducati fielded many warnings about last year when the idea of eight-time world champion Marc Marquez signing for Gresini to race a year-old Desmosedici first hit the headlines.

Just hours before Marquez made his first appearance on the GP23 at the post-season Valencia test last November, Ducati general manager Gigi Dall'Igna told the wind-chilled media between the team's race trucks that "Ducati's position was surely that we did not want Marquez". His comment has its roots in that fact that Ducati over the last four years – ever since Andrea Dovizioso and Dall'Igna's egos irreparably clashed, and the former wasn't re-signed beyond 2020 – has crafted a finely balanced ecosystem.

That has been spearheaded by Bagnaia, now a double world champion for the marque, with the second factory seat occupied by an Enea Bastianini - who impressed on a Gresini Ducati in 2022. That earned him the place over Jorge Martin , winner of the Portuguese GP and 2023 championship runner-up, who holds factory machinery at Pramac.

Beyond these two teams, Ducati has the likes of three-time grand prix winner Marco Bezzecchi contracted to VR46, while Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez have also shown race-winning potential as riders in the Italian marque's stable but not directly contracted to it.

Marc Marquez is also contracted to Gresini rather than Ducati. But the threat he posed to this ecosystem was something long-discussed as the Italian marque – who eventually warmed a little to the idea of him riding one of its bikes as last year wore on – proved ultimately powerless to stop the Nadia Padovani-run team from securing his signature.

Unsurprisingly, as soon as Marquez jumped on the GP23, Ducati management's tune has been one of intrigue and praise, as well as considerations as a potential factory team candidate for 2025.

Marquez on a Ducati has so far lived up the pre-season anticipation, rocking a boat that had been fairly stable

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

"Marc has already shown all his talent and class through an innate ability to adapt: he is already a fearsome contestant on a bike that is completely new to him, the first of our 2023 bikes at the chequered flag," Dall'Igna said in his post-Qatar GP review on Ducati's website. "The experience and desire of a champion wanting to once again have his say will make the difference in this new adventure."

Marquez's progress on the GP23 from Qatar to Portugal was evident last weekend. While he made three errors at the Algarve track that he says were avoidable with more miles on the bike – the most critical being the crash in qualifying that left him eighth, as he activated his rear ride height device too early – he was convinced that "we have the speed" now.

Coming from eighth, Marquez was second in the sprint to score his first Ducati podium. The grand prix was a bit trickier and his pace wasn't good enough to be a factor in the podium battle. But the patient approach that has so far typified his time on the Ducati led him to sit tight in sixth for much of the grand prix before seeing an opportunity to snatch fifth from Bagnaia – which would have become fourth following Maverick Vinales' gearbox-related retirement.

"For me, it was a mistake from Pecco, but not just the incident" Marc Marquez

On lap 23, Marquez got a run on Bagnaia as the factory Ducati rider struggled through Turn 4 – a race-long issue that robbed him of a chance to fight for a second Portuguese GP win – and launched a raid into the downhill left at Turn 5. Bagnaia attempted to cut back and retake the position on the inside, but the pair connected. Both crashed and failed to score.

The stewards investigated the incident but deemed no further action was warranted. While one could argue Marquez could have left a bit more room, being mindful that Bagnaia would try to retaliate, it could just as easily be argued that the latter could have realised that Marquez would not have been able to see where he would be given the angle of the turn.

Bagnaia was "angry" that he walked away with zero points, which has let Martin scamper away to an 18-point lead in the championship. But he, at least publicly, accepted the racing incident verdict from the stewards.

Marquez's assessment was a bit more direct: "It's impossible for two riders to be in agreement after one hour from the incident. But when they came into the race direction, I said to the stewards it's a racing incident on the very limit.

Bagnaia has seen Martin gallop into the points lead after his clash with Marquez, a setback in his hopes of claiming a third consecutive title

"The stewards must decide what is the limit. For me, it was a mistake from Pecco, but not just the incident. Because in the end he tried to come back – okay, it was too optimistic and contact can happen. But it was a mistake that we were fighting for fifth, sixth position – two points more, two points less. And he was suffering a lot, especially with the rear tyres.

"In the end when three, four laps remain you know you will lose the position, it's not necessary to come back in that aggressive mode. But he decided like this and the consequence to Ducati is zero points."

That last line is cold, because that comment can very easily be read as Marquez saying Bagnaia was not acting in the best interest of the manufacturer. But this is a key characteristic of the Spaniard: he always thinks about what he says to the media. Nothing is ever blurted out in anger or in the heat of the moment.

That much was evident when he added: "I didn't talk to Ducati staff - just to Davide [Tardozzi, Ducati Corse team manager]. The good thing is that they have the telemetry, and they can see exactly what happened…"

Marquez told the Spanish media that he is "not here to think about revenge", when asked if there would be an on-track response in Austin next month. There doesn't need to be, however, because he has already fired his shots.

His media debrief came after Bagnaia's, whose diplomacy over the incident will now have to stand as his side of the story for another three weeks until he can properly address Marquez's comments.

The fact is, Marquez had every opportunity to approach the situation in the same way Bagnaia did. He would likely argue that it was just honesty. But you can also look at it as Marquez making his first tentative steps at rattling the cages of riders he will soon start considering as a title threats, if the current trajectory of his Ducati adaptation continues. His comments about telemetry will also force Ducati into revealing those details at some point, which will likely only further absolve Marquez.

Marquez electing not to employ the same diplomatic assessment as Bagnaia after their crash is telling of his mindset

Until now, Marquez and Bagnaia have never really crossed swords. The latter's ascension coincided with Marquez's career hitting an injury-induced skid, while last year the Honda was nowhere near capable of challenging the Ducati.

Portugal may well mark round one of this bout, but also as a precursor to come as Marquez starts to test Ducati's other factory leader in Martin – with whom he has already had several on-track run-ins in recent years.

You can also look at it as Marquez making his first tentative steps at rattling the cages of riders he will soon start considering as a title threats

A flashpoint between Bagnaia and Martin can be fairly easily handled internally. Both are on factory contracts, so both pretty much answer to the same authority. Marquez is on a year-old machine with little support on a Gresini contract. Controlling him will be much more difficult for Ducati.

Ducati management has done a lot of things correctly over the last few years and the results are just reward for this. But containing the potential fire spread from the Marquez/Bagnaia clash is the biggest challenge it has faced for a long time and could come to define Ducati's year.

Ducati faces a significant challenge to keep the peace between Bagnaia and Marquez

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Marquez destroying rivals on the same bike - what's happened to them?

When Marc Marquez began his journey as a Ducati rider, the understanding was that when it came to his knowledge of the Desmosedici he wouldn't just have to play catch-up to the likes of 2023 title race protagonists Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin - but also the formidable array of riders who would have the same spec of bike as Marquez this season.

Marco Bezzecchi had been a frontrunning force through the 2023 campaign. Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio both flashed amazing speed late in the year. While Marc - joining Alex at Gresini - would hope to take aim at the cream of the crop on shiny new Ducati GP24s, the same ambitions would be harboured by his three fellow GP23 riders.

And certainly the pre-season suggested that, while Bezzecchi was having trouble adapting to the 2023 Ducati, his VR46 team-mate Di Giannantonio and the younger Marquez should be right there right away at the sharp end with Marc, perhaps even a step ahead of Gresini Ducati's star hire.

Yet here we are two rounds and four races into the season, and that intra-GP23 battle hasn't materialised. Marc Marquez isn't having the easiest time of it fighting against the 2024 Ducatis, yes, but the other older Ducatis have absolutely nothing on him so far.

Race laps spent as the lead GP23 rider

Marc Marquez - 66 Marco Bezzecchi - 3 Alex Marquez - 0 Fabio Di Giannantonio - 0

Even those three outlier laps above are 'fake', really, representing the conclusion to the Portuguese Grand Prix after the elder Marquez had collided with Bagnaia.

So what has happened? Why is it that only one year-old Desmosedici is taking the fight to the current bikes so far? Why is it the one ridden by a rider who is still relatively unfamiliar with the Ducati?

Bezzecchi's travails

Of the three non-Marc GP23 riders in question, Bezzecchi has been the one on the most encouraging trajectory. Then again, he was also the one who had started the season furthest back relative to expectations.

Through the pre-season and in the Qatar opener, Bezzecchi had been at loggerheads with the 2023 bike, and specifically the way it has been asking him to ride it relative to the GP22 bike he had last year.

The character of that GP23 engine, he said, was really affecting the way he was entering the corners and his confidence in the front tyre. And he hasn't shied away from comparing it to what Enea Bastianini had undergone last year as part of his brutal third season in MotoGP.

Bezzecchi, now in his own third season, said at Portimao: "I am still trying to change, because it's not automatic, still, for me to ride in this way.

"Last year I was really strong to bring the bike in with a lot of pressure on the brake.

"This bike works in the opposite way. So, it has to stop really good [while] straight. Then you have to release the brake to make the bike turn.

"When you keep the brake [on], the bike is turning less compared to last year.

"For me still, it's not really natural to go in and release the brake. My instinct tells me to keep the brakes."

For Bastianini, it never really came together with the GP23. Arguably, through injuries, he never really got a proper chance with it.

Bezzecchi, meanwhile, does seem to be making strides already. At Portimao, he pointed to an unspecified tweak of the bike as having perhaps unlocked the required riding style for him, making it easier to rebuff his instinct.

"But I'm still missing the entry part, and especially the turning point mid-corner," he admitted after the grand prix. "I'm slower compared to the other riders in that area.

"Overall, compared to Sepang and Doha we improved a lot, but still we are a bit too far from the top guys."

It also isn't helping that he still isn't starting well enough, or at least with any kind of consistency. By his own admission, Bezzecchi was never the best at starts - but has particularly struggled with the Ducati clutch in MotoGP.

That was already too much to overcome even when he was on song with the bike last year. Right now, combined with a lingering unease with the GP23, it represents an impossible hurdle.

Di Giannantonio's false start

Bezzecchi had acknowledged through the pre-season that new VR46 team-mate Di Giannantonio was coping better with the switch from GP22 to GP23.

But this hasn't translated to a meaningful difference in results yet.

Partly this was down to Di Giannantonio having crashed out of both sprints - he had a "strange" highside in Qatar and then caught himself out at Portimao by running in the wrong gear. Yet he also had a generally muted outing in Portugal, describing it as the first time in a year and a half that he'd lacked rear grip.

Overall, it's been a bit untidy and a bit inconsistent - which, Di Giannantonio suggests, was perhaps to be expected.

"In the tests we've been amazing, because we had plenty of time to work together with the team, and to really have the bike like a second skin, let's say, to build the bike around you," he explained.

"But for sure we know, three months of work together, they still have to understand 100% what I need, and also me, I still have to give my maximum to them, let's say.

"Overall with all the issues that we've had until now we did an OK job. Last year at the beginning of the year we were celebrating like hell a top-10 finish.

"I think we are on a good way, and I'm also sure our bright days will come soon."

Alex Marquez's anonymity

The younger Marquez felt he'd made too many mistakes at the start of his first Ducati season last year, so has made it a target to cut down on them - albeit he still ruined his Portuguese GP with what he himself admitted had been an entirely avoidable fall.

A front-end crash at T5 for @alexmarquez73 ! 💥 But the Spaniard rejoins 👍 #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/2e2wdqH1cs — MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 24, 2024

"I wasn't patient about giving myself more time to understand the slipstream," he said.

"I had three bikes in front, I was trying to stop but I didn't have the patience to release a little bit the brakes and to lose maybe one tenth and a half, instead of crashing.

"Was my fault."

The concerning part for Alex was that, crash aside, he was not as fast as he would've expected at a Portimao track he has a strong track record at - and certainly not as fast as his brother.

"Marc has been much faster than us here, all the '23 Ducatis. He's riding in a really good way, in a really good form, especially turning the bike."

Perhaps this is the common denominator, at least partly.

All three of Marc Marquez's GP23 peers have individual reasons to be further back than they had finished last season. But if you theorise that the difference between the two different Ducati specs this year is bigger than it had been last year, as has been repeatedly suggested (but also occasionally denied), it makes sense that Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez aren't hitting the same heights.

That, then, would make it even more remarkable if Marc continues to hang with the factory-spec Desmosedicis.

But if he keeps getting more out of the GP23 bike than his established Ducati peers, it certainly won't be doing their rider market stock any favours.

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Ducati reveal how they dealt with gutted Francesco Bagnaia after Portimao crash

Will Ducati be required to further manage the Francesco Bagnaia-Marc Marquez clash?

Ducati gave Francesco Bagnaia a few days of peace to get over his disappointing incident with Marc Marquez .

The Portuguese MotoGP was lit up by Bagnaia’s unsuccessful attempt to overtake Marquez in their battle for P5.

Reigning MotoGP champion Bagnaia crashed out, while Marquez was able to clamber back to finish the race but his hope of points was extinguished.

“In cases like these, you let some time pass, a few days,” explained Davide Tardozzi, the Ducati team manager. 

“And then you go back to talking. We need to decant.”

Tardozzi said about the clash between two Ducati riders: “Without a doubt it was a racing incident.

“It's clear that in certain situations it would be better to stay calmer, but the two riders explained themselves so I think it's something resolved and closed with a handshake.

"When a six-time MotoGP champion and a two-time MotoGP champion find themselves fighting, it's clear that neither of them wants to give up: these are good things for the spectators but they also have an end."

It was deemed a racing incident by the stewards, which Bagnaia and Marquez agreed with.

How Ducati manage any lingering fallout could be key to Bagnaia’s title defence.

Claudio Domenicali, the Ducati CEO, was asked about it and he replied: “I understand that they like the topic as a journalistic cue, but I try not to get pulled into the controversy if I can. I don’t bite.”

The good news for Ducati is that Pramac’s Jorge Martin leads the championship after two rounds.

Enea Bastianini, Bagnaia’s teammate in the factory team, finished second to Martin in the Portuguese MotoGP.

Bastianini is third in the standings in a year where he must salvage his 2025 Ducati spot.

“I believe that Enea is rediscovering the speed of 2022,” Tardozzi insisted.

“Just as I believe that in Austin he will be able to be a protagonist again and fight for victory.

“He is giving us the satisfaction he deserves, and that we thought he could give us when we decided to confirm him, despite a disastrous 2023 through no fault of his."

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MotoGP™ tech recap: what can we expect in Sepang?

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We take a look back at what parts were rolled out in Valencia as the 2024 MotoGP™ Shakedown and Official Tests in Malaysia near

As the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests approach, let's hark back to the Valencia Test to have a look at what the different manufacturers brought to the table for 2024 - and see what else might be coming in Malaysia. 

Understandably, Aprilia weren't the main focus of the day at the Valencia Test largely because most of their 2024 parts wouldn't appear until February's Sepang Test. However, despite not having the larger parts that make a difference, Aprilia were able to complete some valuable work.

- VIÑALES TARGETTING MORE IN 2024 AFTER TAKING TESTING HONOURS

After setting the fastest lap of the day, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) admitted different swingarms were tested that offered slightly different development directions. In addition, Viñales also worked on a different aero setup, but the most intriguing part of Aprilia's day was Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™) getting his first taste of the 2023 RS-GP that also had some development parts for 2024.

After Aprilia - self-admittedly - failed to meet their 2023 expectations, how their 2024 bike shakes down in Sepang will be one of the bigger stories to keep an eye on. One thing in particular is that Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™'s Miguel Oliveira will also be on a 2024-spec RS-GP this season, a big step up from the 2022 bike he competed with last year. Eventually, Fernandez will have the same. 

"The partnership between Aprilia and Trackhouse is really promising"

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola revealed his excitement to begin the 2024 campaign with the US-based outfit

“The best way to start with a new bike was like this” was how reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) described his outing back at the Valencia Test. Corner entry was improved but the #1 was still searching for improvements on corner exit, but heading to the Sepang Test - and more recently on Michele Pirro's Desmosedici GP24 at the Shakedown - there will be one thing everyone will be looking at: Ducati's aero.

At the Ducati Lenovo Team launch, General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna admitted a significant aero change is on its way as the Italian marque search to make extra strides in an area they’ve been the leading light in for several years.

- HIGHLIGHTS: MARC MARQUEZ MAKES DUCATI DEBUT AT VALENCIA TEST

The Sepang Test will also see the likes of Marc Marquez, his Gresini Racing MotoGP™ teammate Alex Marquez, and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio get to grips with the latest 2023-spec Ducatis. The very latest ’23-spec is a machine Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) jumped on in Valencia, so we can expect the others to be doing the same in Malaysia.

Arguably the biggest manufacturer story of the Valencia Test was the former Kings of MotoGP™ - Honda. After four seasons of struggles, Honda come into 2024 in a unique position. No, not just having Marc Marquez riding for a different manufacturer. But an entirely new RC213V was unveiled in Valencia and the early signs suggest that they have appeared to make positive progress.

Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) was buoyed by the positive step forward, saying that for the first time he could feel that the bike was better and actively doing what he wanted it to do. The sudden change in the feel and performance of the RV213V came thanks to a completely overhauled bike. The chassis was new, so was the more extensive aero, and Honda had reportedly shaved eight kilos off the bike. This all added up to a bike that reportedly had better rear grip and felt easier to ride and, crucially, more front feeling. Something desperately needed.

Honda didn't have all their eggs in one basket at the Valencia Test though. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) did most of his running on the Misano-spec '2024' bike, one that met largely negative reviews that it felt different but didn't offer any major step forward in removing the weak points. It will be interesting to see how much this bike will feature - if at all - in Malaysia.

Honda's new recruits Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) weren't able to talk about their first laps with Honda. Judging from the timesheets and their general demeanour in the garage, things did seem positive - particularly for Marini, who finished the test as the top Honda. 

Things are looking up for HRC heading to Sepang. A crucial six days on track await the Japanese giants to see how much deficit they've clawed back on their rivals. 

The big story in the KTM/GASGAS ranks was obviously Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) MotoGP™ debut. That’s one of the many incredibly intriguing topics that will be closely followed during both the Shakedown and Official Sepang Tests.

In terms of tech upgrades, both Brad Binder and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jack Miller gave some new aero a runout in Valencia. Spotting the differences – thanks to KTM’s clever camo fairings – were trickier than normal though. In addition, KTM’s updated exhausts continued to appear, and the much-talked-about carbon chassis was put through its paces.

Highlights: Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Presentation

Enjoy a selection of the best bits from the unveiling of Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez for the 2024 campaign

While there will be plenty of focus on Honda’s performance, Yamaha can expect the same sort of scrutiny in Sepang. In Valencia, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) tried a new engine, new aero and a new chassis. “Some positives, especially on the aero” were a snippet of the Frenchman’s thoughts at the end of play at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, while the engine seemed “a little better.”

Finding another step with the engine is something Quartararo is searching for in Sepang as both he and teammate Alex Rins get set to take part in the Shakedown for the first time since they were rookies. Other than the new bits, Yamaha continued to work on the different exhaust and swingarm that they'd been testing for a while.

The time for waiting is nearly over. The three-day Sepang Shakedown Test takes place on the 1st to the 3rd of February before the Official Test unravels between the 6th and 8th, as we await to see what each factory have been working on during the winter break. 

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