Ducati’s Confidence Remains High Despite Bagnaia’s Narrow Loss in 2024 MotoGP Title Race
Francesco Bagnaia’s near-miss in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, finishing just 10 points behind Jorge MartÃn, marked a significant moment for Ducati. The loss meant the Italian manufacturer would be without the coveted #1 plate on one of its bikes for the first time since 2022. Despite this, Ducati’s team manager, Davide Tardozzi, remains confident that the title will return to Ducati in the near future.
Bagnaia, who dominated the 2022 season to secure his first MotoGP title, was in a tight battle with MartÃn throughout 2024. While Bagnaia delivered strong performances, a combination of mistakes and fierce competition from the Spanish rider ultimately cost him the championship. MartÃn’s victory is particularly notable as he will make the move to Aprilia in 2025, further intensifying the stakes for Ducati to reclaim the title next season.
However, despite the disappointment, Tardozzi has remained calm and optimistic. In the documentary Dream On: Ducati and Bagnaia’s Pursuit of Glory, the Ducati boss expressed his confidence in the team’s future. “I’m calm because I know the rider we have, I know the team we have, I know what we need to do, and I know the bike we will have. So, I’m quite calm that the number 1 will return,” he said.
Tardozzi’s words reflect Ducati’s ongoing commitment to success. The team’s technical prowess, combined with Bagnaia’s talent, gives them a solid foundation for future title challenges. The Desmosedici GP bike, one of the most competitive machines on the grid, has been continuously developed to meet the demands of MotoGP’s evolving challenges. With Bagnaia still very much at the helm, Ducati has the resources and experience to return to the front.
The relationship between Bagnaia and the Ducati team has been key to their recent success. The rider’s technical feedback and ability to adapt to the bike’s ever-evolving characteristics have been instrumental in the bike’s development. Tardozzi, a veteran of the sport, has been a steady presence behind the scenes, guiding Ducati with a calm and methodical approach.
As Ducati looks to 2025, the loss of the #1 plate may sting, but the team’s long-term goals remain unchanged. With Bagnaia leading the charge and a highly capable technical team backing him, Ducati will continue to challenge for the title. Tardozzi’s confidence in the team’s potential is a sign that Ducati’s pursuit of MotoGP glory is far from over, and the #1 plate is likely to return sooner rather than later.
