Who will stop Pecco Bagnaia's flight? The 2024 Moto GP season began with this question, given the absolute domination of the Turin rider in the previous two years. A question that has not been answered so far, since it is continuing along the lines of what has been shown previously without experiencing in the slightest a drop in stimuli and motivation (possible, after 2 world championships won).
So let's tell us what the competition has told us so far regarding the highest motorsport class.
Team changes before the World Championship
The period between one season and the next has only brought one important change, but one of those that can be decisive for the outcome of the championship. The rider in question is Marc Marquez who, after an experience in the ranks of Honda that lasted even from 2013, moves to Ducati.
For 2024 he will race on the Ducati Desmosedici GP 23 while, in the following season, he will join the Official Team Ducati thus becoming the teammate of world champion Bagnaia.
This is an important turning point for the Spanish rider, back from four seasons with decidedly more shadows than lights after being the absolute 'goat' of two wheels between 2010 and 2019 (with 6 World Championships won in Moto GP, 1 in Moto2 and 1 in 125).
No other relevant team changes in view of the 2024 season, increasingly in the name of Ducati as far as the top fight is concerned.
Bagnaia 'deceives' with an uphill start
The first race of the World Cup is staged in Qatar. Just like the first ball touched in a football match, it can immediately give an idea of what the course of the season can be. Bagnaia does not want to miss the appointment and in fact wins the Grand Prix.
Two years earlier, on the occasion of the World Championship that will end with the first laurel of his career in Moto GP, he had closed the Qatari Grand Prix with his retirement. A good start for pecco, which is however followed by two alarm bells. In Portugal he finished the race early, while in Chile he finished only in fifth place.
A tempting opportunity for his rivals, who hope to steal the scepter of champion. The Turin rider's first rival is Spaniard Jorge Martin, second in the final 2023 standings. In the first 3 races he finished third in Qatar, won in Portugal and finished fourth in Chile, thus launching the challenge to his Italian rival.
Good start to the season also for Enea Bastianini, with a second and a third place in the first 3 exhibitions of the season. There is also glory for non- Ducati riders: the clear example is Maverick Viñales who, astride his Aprilia, finishes on the top step of the podium in Chile after disappointing in the previous 2 races.
Marc Marquez also did well , with his best result in fourth place on his debut in Qatar. So is a handover to be expected as far as the top of the Moto GP standings is concerned? Subsequent matches annul sentences – as often happens – too hasty.
Pecco's dominance returns
When a champion is given in a waning phase, here he comes roaring back leaving only crumbs to the opponents. The reference to Valentino Rossi is inevitable, capable of silencing detractors and opposing fans on several occasions during his extraordinary career.
For Bagnaia it is not yet time to be compared to the legend with the number 46, but certainly the progress of this World Championship is splendidly showing his hunger for victories despite the laurels already won. Fifth place in Chile is the latest misstep for the Turin rider in the current season.
From there, in fact, began a series of victories that started in Spain and – after a brief stop in France, where he still finished in third place – continued in Catalonia, Italy, Holland and Germany. One of those sequences that wipes out the hopes of rivals, especially on a psychological level. Those who try in some way to keep up with Bagnaia and Martin, who do not want to know about finishing behind him for the second year in a row.
A couple of empty passes for the Spaniard, with retirements in Spain and Germany. For the rest, only podiums: first place in France, second in Catalonia and Holland and third in Italy.
Marquez is also showing signs of awakening, finishing in second place in 3 of the last 6 races. He also finished third in Catalonia. An important turning point after difficult months, but a more important change of gear is needed to keep up with Bagnaia.
Partial standings: the red of the Ducati stands out
When the World Championship has almost reached the halfway point, Pecco Bagnaia excels in the standings – ça va sans dire. However, the Turin driver must watch out for Martin, only 10 points away.
Much further away was Marquez, who closed the podium. Three riders Ducati, as well as Bastianini who is fourth. To find one not from this team, you have to go down to fifth place: it is the aforementioned Viñales, with his Aprilia. It is almost superfluous, therefore, to point out that it is the Borgo Panigale-based engine manufacturer that dominates the constructors' standings.
We are anxiously awaiting the return of the riders from the summer holidays. May the best win!
