World MotoGP champion in 2022 and 2023, Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia is naturally one of, if not the biggest candidate for the MotoGP title in 2024 and judging by what was seen in the tests, the Italian seems “launched” for another victorious campaign, but will the Ducati rider be able to stay on the path of victories?
In Portugal, we have all heard the popular saying that says: “There’s no two without three,” and that may even apply to Bagnaia and his quest for the MotoGP title, but it is important to look back a little on what the last two titles were like.
After being champion in 2021, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) seemed poised for another title in 2022, but the Frenchman, who was leading with 91 points more than Bagnaia, gradually saw the number 63 gaining ground until he was eventually overtaken by the Italian, who thus won his first world title in the premier class.
Then came 2023 and it was clear early on who the two main contenders for the title would be: Bagnaia and Jorge Martín, with Marco Bezzecchi also in the fight, but never with the same brilliance and consistency as the other two.
Martín had the races Sprint as his main source of points and media impact (and not only), but Bagnaia remained generally the most consistent and assertive, despite a stumble or a moment of bad decision or simply… bad luck.
He would ultimately secure the world title in the last race of the year in Valencia while Martín fought against the others and, above all, against himself, under pressure and needing to win without depending solely on himself to reach the title.
And what did the 2024 pre-season show? A growing and increasingly confident Bagnaia, gradually solving the problems encountered with the Desmosedici: he was 16th on the first day of testing in Sepang – led by Martín -, fifth on the second day, and the fastest on the third.
In Qatar, the trend continued with Bagnaia being the fastest on both days, which seems to open up good prospects for the start of the year, and although tests are tests, the good indications and comfort with the bike seem to be evident, which reinforces the Italian’s “position” as the favorite for the 2024 season.
And you, who do you see as the favorite for the main victory in MotoGP? Can Bagnaia achieve the hat-trick, or will we see a new champion? Martín seems to be a serious candidate for the title again, although many point to Marc Márquez as a candidate, or even Brad Binder…
Whatever happens, 2024 promises a lot!
