MotoGP World Champion in 2022 and 2023, Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia is naturally one of, if not the biggest contender for the MotoGP title in 2024 and judging by what we’ve seen in testing the Italian seems “launched” for another winning campaign but can the Ducati rider stay on the winning trail?
In Portugal we’ve all heard the popular saying: “Nevet two without three”, and that may even apply to Bagnaia and his MotoGP title quest, but it’s important to take a step back from the last two titles.
After being crowned champion in 2021, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) looked set for another title in 2022, but the Frenchman, who was in the lead with 91 points more than Bagnaia, gradually saw the then number 63 gain ground until he was eventually overtaken by the Italian, who went on to win 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 contention, but never with the same brilliance and regularity as the other two.
Martín’s biggest source of points and media impact (and not only) were the sprint races, but Bagnaia was generally always the most regular and assertive, despite one or two mishaps and moments of bad decision making or simply… bad luck.
In the end, he literally secured the world title in the last race of the year in Valencia, while Martín fought against the others and above all himself, in the face of the pressure and the need to win, without depending solely on himself to win the title.
And what did the 2024 pre-season show? A growing and increasingly confident Bagnaia, gradually solving the problems he encountered with the Desmosedici: he was 16th on the first day of testing in Sepang – led by Martín – fifth on the second day and fastest on the third.
In Qatar, the trend continued with Bagnaia being fastest on both days, which seems to open up good prospects for what could be 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 favourite for what could be the 2024 season.
And who do you see as the favourite for the MotoGP championship? Can Bagnaia get the hattrick, or will we see a new champion? Martín seems to be a serious contender for the title once again, although many point to Marc Márquez as a candidate, or even Brad Binder…
Whatever happens, 2024 promises a lot!