Ducati share secrets of rider line-up decision-making

Marini considered for Pramac after Bezzecchi rejection

Marco Bezzecchi rejected the chance to swap his VR46 team for Pramac next season, and therefore trade a year-old bike for the latest spec.

“I'm not surprised,” sporting director Ciabatti told Moto.it.

“We thought he deserved an official bike, in 2024 we will have four official bikes by contract. 

“We had in 2022 to have five official bikes but we realised that had excessive costs. 

“The only opportunity for Bez to have an official bike was to place him in Pramac, with Matteo Flamigni. 

“However, knowing Marco's relationship with the VR46 team, I understood his choice very well. I understand and appreciate it.”

That left Ducati needing a Plan B for Pramac.

They plumped for Franco Morbidelli, who had lost his Yamaha seat, but not without other considerations.

“We did a series of evaluations, and Luca Marini was also there, then the decision shifted to Franco,” Ciabatti said.

Bastianini struggled 'more than we expected'

Enea Bastianini has been backed to continue as a factory rider despite an injury-ravaged first year wearing red.

“He did an important job last year, four victories,” Ciabatti remembered.

“This year he struggled a little, a little more than we expected, already in the tests, to adapt to a different working environment. 

“Let's not forget that he had to change crew chief because Alberto Giribuola decided to go to KTM.

“However, it is a season in which all the things that could go wrong did go wrong. 

“But in Indonesia, in the race, he set the fastest lap and so I think we are on the right track."

'Difficult to say how competitive Iannone will be'

Ducati have also opted to place Andrea Iannone into their Go Eleven WorldSBK team in 2024.

Iannone, the former Ducati MotoGP rider, will conclude a four-year doping ban in December.

“Operation defined in recent weeks,” Ciabatti said. 

“I'm very pleased, his desire shows how much he still wants to race, but four years of inactivity is a long time, so it's difficult to say how competitive he will be. 

“I think it will take some time but then he will be among the protagonists. 

“He is still relatively young, given how much Alvaro Bautista is doing.”

Factory vs Pramac team orders?

The burning question is whether Ciabatti and co will influence the MotoGP title fight between factory rider Francesco Bagnaia and Pramac’s Jorge Martin.

“If Ducati were worried about making another team win, they wouldn't give Pramac and Jorge Martin the same type of bike and evolutions,” Ciabatti insisted. 

“The most attentive will have noticed that in recent races there are fins mounted on the front forks. Which bikes have it? Those of Bagnaia and Martin.

"They have exactly the same technical package and seven people from Ducati work there in Pramac. 

“I understand that those who conspire don't believe it, but that's how it is. 

“We decided to put the Lenovo and Pramac riders in the same situation, right or wrong, may the best win. 

“We consider them two official teams, it is thanks to Pramac that we have brought several riders on official motorbikes.”