“It seems like he is the favorite for tomorrow.”
This statement would typically be made about a Ducati rider on the eve of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. After all, Ducati has been dominating in Lusail, winning four of the last five races and securing victory in the first race in 2023. To add to their success, Jorge Martin led every lap to win the second race on Saturday, a day before the main event. Ducati has not lost a MotoGP race since last September.
However, Marc Marquez was not referring to Martin when he revealed his favorite for the Qatar GP. He was actually talking about Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia. Espargaro’s impressive tire management during the race caught the attention of the six-time MotoGP champion.
While the two riders ahead of Aprilia – Martin and Brad Binder from KTM – finished the 11-lap race with low times of 1m53s, Espargaro managed to achieve high times of 1m52s. He overtook Pecco Bagnaia and was quickly closing in on Binder. This performance led Marquez to believe that Espargaro and Binder had a better pace than Martin.
Martin, despite his eighth win in nine attempts, expressed doubts about his chances of winning on Sunday. He admitted: “I feel like Brad and Aleix have a slight advantage at the moment. Let’s see if we can keep them behind. They [KTM and Aprilia] are really tough to beat on this track.”
Martin’s main concern is an issue that has been bothering him since the tests – rear tire vibration. He initially thought the problem had been resolved, but now believes it has not completely disappeared. He expects it to worsen during the 22-lap grand prix. Martin acknowledged that he cannot ride perfectly due to this issue and expressed hope that they find a solution before the race.
Despite maintaining a slight advantage over Binder on the final lap, Martin admitted that, without his pole position, he would not have won. He also noted that the rear tire vibration was present in the data of other riders, suggesting that it may be a specific issue with the Ducati 2024 specification.
Bagnaia, Martin’s rival in the 2023 season, was more upset about a small mistake in qualifying than the rear tire vibration. He made a brief off-track excursion that did not affect his lap time, but it cost him a better starting position. Bagnaia was confident that this mistake could be corrected as he was closing in on Binder during the race. However, he also experienced the rear tire vibration, which he attributed to increased tire pressure. He believed that some adjustments were needed to rebalance the bike.
Bagnaia was impressed by his competitors, especially Espargaro. He noted that the KTM was similar to his team, while the Aprilia showed impressive progress in the final laps. He closely followed Espargaro and learned a lot from him.
So, can KTM or Aprilia prevent Ducati from winning the season opener? The answer seems to be yes, but it won’t be easy for either team. Binder, who had a good start, felt that he was being outpaced in terms of acceleration. He hopes that a more consistent drop in performance will compensate for this deficiency.
For Espargaro, the race distance is in his favor. The key for him is a better start, as he dropped from second to fourth position at the start. He acknowledged that Aprilia has made progress with the clutch, but still needs further improvements. He struggled in the early laps but felt more comfortable as the race progressed. Espargaro praised the performance of the Aprilia in the corners and expressed his pleasure in riding the bike.
The strong performance of KTM and Aprilia suggests that the season will be more competitive among manufacturers than expected? Martin and Espargaro are not sure. Martin believes that the Desmosedici is still more complete overall, and the availability of pre-season test data has leveled the playing field. Espargaro echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that his performance among the top three may not be fully representative due to the extensive testing done at this track. However, both riders are determined to fight and challenge Ducati’s dominance.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from the field. The news shocked fans and left the sports world in disbelief. Ronaldo, known for his incredible skills and impressive records, decided to end his career at the age of 39.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has won numerous titles and awards, including five Ballon d’Or trophies. He was also instrumental in the success of clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United. His on-field ability and determination to win made him one of the greatest players in the history of soccer.
The news of Ronaldo’s retirement was met with sadness by fans and colleagues. Many expressed their gratitude and admiration for the player, highlighting his influence on the sport and his dedication to the game. Ronaldo will leave a lasting legacy and will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.
Despite his retirement, Ronaldo plans to remain involved in the world of soccer. He has expressed interest in working as a coach or in other roles within the sport. His vast experience and knowledge will certainly be valuable to any team or organization that hires him.
While fans mourn the end of Ronaldo’s career, they are also eager to see what the future holds for the player. Regardless of what he decides to do, his impact on football is undeniable and his talent will be remembered forever. Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for so many exciting moments and for inspiring a generation of players.
