Tardozzi Unfazed by Marquez: “We’re not afraid of our riders”.
The world of MotoGP is about to witness an exciting season in 2024, with the arrival of Marc Marquez to the Gresini team, the eagerly awaited battle between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martìn, as well as the ambitions of Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi.
Amid these challenges, Davide Tardozzi, the Lenovo Ducati team leader, shared his view on the internal competition and Marquez’s arrival. In a recent interview, Tardozzi made it clear that there is no fear regarding the drivers themselves, including the arrival of Marquez.
He highlighted Ducati’s transparent approach in treating its eight riders, providing everyone with the best possible conditions and equipment. The team not only shares data between members but also provides updates based on each driver’s performance. “It’s very clear.
We have eight Ducatis that we treat honestly, according to what they deserve, and what they have is written in the contract,” said Tardozzi. He emphasized that despite being able to access all other drivers’ data, the team will never prevent other teams from competing against the official team.
Fair competition is seen as a driver for continuous improvement. The Lenovo Ducati team manager also clarified that Ducati’s mentality is led by Gigi Dall’Igna, who has eight chances to win.
Tardozzi, as the team manager, recognizes that his team has two chances to win, and it is their responsibility to outperform the other teams. This approach creates an atmosphere of healthy internal competition where each driver has the chance to prove themselves. Tardozzi dismisses concerns that Marquez may have disadvantages compared to the official bikes, highlighting the level playing field between all Ducatis.
He points out that each of Ducati’s eight riders is considered a title contender, and the team is committed to providing the best upgrades and equipment to everyone, regardless of their position. Ducati embraces internal competition as a mindset that drives the pursuit of excellence. The manager emphasizes that the team does not fear this competition, but rather sees it as an opportunity to develop data and improve Ducati’s global performance.
In summary, Tardozzi highlights the team’s confidence in the quality of its drivers, equal treatment and internal competition mentality. Marquez, like the other riders, will receive the updates he deserves, supporting a healthy and promising competitive approach for the 2024 MotoGP season.
