English
Italiano
At Ruote da sogno, in the company of Michele Pirro for the presentation of the V4 with which he will take part in CIV with the Barni team for the tenth year, it is also an opportunity to exchange impressions and expectations with the Ducati rider about the MotoGP season about to begin.
"We are in this unique location - the rider intervened - to present the colours of my V4 for 2024, with which I will take part in the CIV for the tenth year together with the Barni team, which I now consider like a family. I am happy to do it again with them".
What sort of CIV season will this one be? Will Zanetti's absence help to make things easier perhaps?
"I believe that anyone who makes predictions about how easy or otherwise any championship based on the absence of a rider doesn't know enough about the sport in general. Every year has its own story, everything changes, from the circumstances to the dynamics during the season, to the sporting life of the riders themselves. Each season has its own path, the awareness that exists is that I have a good amount of experience on my shoulders, as well as an excellent team and bike package to rely on. However, I won't deny that when I see some younger riders perhaps there is a touch of envy! - he then admits jokingly - so let's not forget that there will be many opponents and let's always start from the assumption that the beauty of sport is that it always presents something new, one year you win and one year you lose, even though what is obviously never lacking on my part is the motivation to win."
In addition to your commitments with Barni and CIV, you recently returned from testing in Malaysia as a test rider for Ducati, in which Borgo Panigale’s latest creation demonstrated a further step forward.
"It must be said that the work done in Ducati in recent years has been excellent, both on the part of the team and the riders, everyone has done their part. As a test rider I do my part, so when a rider manages to put together everyone's work it is the icing on the cake. The bike has improved in some specific aspects, but we have a really solid base as the GP23 has shown. We also have a group of really competitive riders, overall we have put together a top team."
In the last test in Sepang, Ducati once again showed its muscles by breaking a new record, but the competition hasn't stood by idle and is getting very close.
"It's normal and right for it to be like this, it's part of evolution. As Ducati we have been chasing for years and now we have reached an excellent level, we hope to remain there for as long as possible but we know that the competition, also thanks to the new concessions, will make the championship very interesting this year."
We also caught a glimpse of Marquez's performance in his first real approach on the Ducati. What expectations do you have of the Spaniard?
"I believe that Marc will be able to be fast and competitive right from the first races, even competing for podiums. He will no longer make an occasional appearance like last season and will be able to fight for the top positions. Obviously, it is still too early to say that he will give everyone a second, that would be science fiction, our riders are just as competitive" the Italian commented.
