Francesco Bagnaia’s new teammate proved to be a decent worker in the big team event at Madonna di Campiglio. He congratulated his new boss Gigi Dall’Igna.
The signing of the six-time MotoGP champion as Ducati’s second factory rider alongside Francesco Bagnaia has a history worthy of a film. What is known is that at the beginning of the 2024 season, the MotoGP transfer market picked up speed. A three-way battle began between regular driver Enea Bastianini, World Championship leader Jorge Martin and Gresini driver Marc Marquez.
The first observer and decision maker of the situation: Ducati Corse boss Luigi Dall’Igna. As it became clear that Marc Marquez was on his way to the top again, the Italian Bastianini crashed out of the race.
Now it was time to examine the value of Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin to Ducati’s interests. Dall’Igna, who never discussed the biggest transfer decision of the year in public, finally made a bold decision for the elderly Marquez, who was seriously injured. The head of the racing department took a very big risk of losing the world champions. The 50:50 joker went nowhere and #1 was gone.
It is even more surprising that Ducati Corse never intervened in the Bagnaia-Martin duel. A feature that, as seen in the presentation of the Ducati factory team, really impressed Marc Marquez.
In Madonna di Campiglio, the visitor did not hide his great respect for the Corse boss: “People said early last year that Ducati would definitely not allow Jorge Martin to win the title. The truth was different. Jorge had the same weapons as Pecco until the last minute, and that that’s the good thing and what I like about Gigi Dall’Igna, he’s very loyal. I think that’s also the key to the success he’s had in all his projects, because he’s loyal to the drivers, he’s loyal to the team, and if he tells you: “You’ll have this” then you will definitely have it.
The new Ducati factory rider went further: “Last year he told me at the beginning of the season: ‘You will reach your goals’. When I signed with the factory team I said: ‘Now I get a little gift’. Yes, there was no gift. I asked him about it. Then Gigi Dall’Igna told me: ‘You will receive many gifts at the end of the year,’ and I understood him.”
The Spaniard admitted that he had understood the philosophy of the job. Marquez: “In the end, it’s the same for Ducati and all the sponsors if one or the other wins. They do everything to make sure that the Ducati rider wins. This is a gift for the pilots.”
