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Alberto Vergani signed the latest Superbike transfer coup last week, namely Axel Bassani's move to Kawasaki. We talked about this market operation with him in an interview that you can read in the next few days on GPOne.
Aside from the discussion related to the future Kawasaki rider, the Milanese manager did not shy away from the key topic of the week, namely Marquez's farewell to Honda. On the topic, Vergani wanted to give his own point of view between the present and the future.
“I spoke about Marquez leaving Honda on a television show in May – he told us – in these situations the difference is made by the weak signals. We all saw Marc last year: a suffering, unenthusiastic rider, the victim of many crashes. When a rider no longer enjoys himself, there are two options: retire or change. Marc has decided on the second, that is to go in search of a new challenge."
Did his decision to leave Honda surprise you?
"No! Indeed, to be honest it is a choice that further glorifies and enhances Marc Marquez as a rider and person. He leaves a colossus like Honda and goes to Gresini to get back into the game with the aim of getting back the enthusiasm he was missing and obviously returning to victory. Marc doesn't care if he has 100 or 120 million in his account. His priority is to be happy and have fun being a rider. This aspect counts more than the 20 million contract for 2024."
Gresini is waiting for him.
“I've always thought about one thing. We often see his father in the garage following Alex and when they go home they certainly talk to each other a lot. Gresini is a great facility where I am convinced people are very comfortable. Marc understood that he was no longer happy at Honda and immediately found an alternative. If he hadn't gone to Gresini he would have retired."
Pernat was very shocked about this, underlining that contracts have now become waste paper.
“I have known Carletto all my life and I can well understand his position, given that he has two riders like Bastianini and Arbolino, the latter currently in Moto2 who wants to make the big leap. The thing I say is this: contracts must not be a prison, but a means to regulate relationships between the parties. This is my point of view, a bit like Melandri did at the time of Ducati, which he decided to leave because he was no longer happy on the track as well as when he was at home in his everyday life."
Alberto, let's play a game. You are the new general manager of HRC: what would you do now that Marquez has left?
“The first thing I would do is offer a blank cheque to Gigi Dall'Igna, trying to get him at any cost. Dall'Igna is the man of change, someone capable of revolutionizing and we have seen it in Ducati. The moment you have someone like Gigi, who changes your bike, this as a result attracts riders. The example is Ducati itself, a motorcycle that all riders want without the company having to go looking for them. Lastly, just think of Marc Marquez, who gave up 20 million to get on a Desmosedici. For me Dall'Igna is the man of change like Adrian Newey was in Formula 1. However, you have to evaluate whether or not the Japanese mentality pushes you to take similar actions."
Some observers say that Marc in Ducati will change the equilibrium
“Marc on a Ducati I think is a great opportunity for everyone to relaunch the Championship. Not only that: having a rider like Marquez on a Ducati becomes a yardstick for the likes of Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Martin etc. Even today I remember Petrucci when he won at Mugello against him. Comparing yourself with a rider like that makes you improve, but above all it enhances you."
