MotoGp, Ezpeleta: “We didn’t force anyone to leave Ducati”

Bologna, 24 December 2024 – Two fewer motorcycles will impact the competitiveness of Ducati? Will they limit their dominance? Perhaps, or at least their rivals hope so. Pramac, as is known, has chosen Yamaha from 2025 and Borgo Panigale will go from eight to six bikes, therefore with less data available for the development of the Gp25. The other brands are counting on this, even if the superiority of the Desmosedici has been so overwhelming that bridging the gap in such a short time seems difficult. However, Moto GP could need competition, not only internal to Ducati with a great duel between Marquez e bagnaia, but also with the other brands involved and for this reason it has granted the Japanese a derogation with the concessions. In addition, Yamaha has convinced Pramac to leave Ducati and this could narrow the gap a bit. There has not been, however, any pressure from Dorna to reduce the number of Borgo Panigale bikes.

Ezpeleta: “No obligation on our part”

Pramac won the riders' world championship with Jorge Martin, but decided to leave Ducati for the three tuning forks, which in 2025 will provide Campinoti's team with updated bikes and assistance from the official team. In short, a long era of collaboration has ended and there was no Dorna's hand behind the choice. No pressure from the organizers to reduce the bikes Ducati, as in the past no one pushed for the teams to go with Borgo Panigale: “We didn't force anyone, there is a free market – Carlos' words Ezpeleta to As – The choice is up to the teams and when we talk about Ducati and its dominance we need to understand the paddock. Even the Honda in 2003 dominated. There is freedom and in the past no one has forced teams to move to Ducati”. Also at stake is the growth of the Moto GP brand, which will move to Liberty Media, the same owners as Formula 1, with a total investment of around 4 billion dollars. The antitrust trust is working to ensure the operation is regular and the European Commission is also evaluating whether there could be violations of anti-monopoly laws, but the move to Liberty Media is piquing the minds of various executives, who see the possibility of an increase in revenues. Massimo thinks so Rivola, CEO of Aprilia, who spoke to motorsport.com like this: “We have to raise the level and reach as many people as possible – his analysis – Liberty Media can have the right channels to increase sponsorship revenue and the future is bright. Moto GP must be ambitious”. And precisely Aprilia now he dreams of the world championship with the Jorge couple Martin, reigning champion, and Marco Bezzecchi. First taste of 2025 bike positive, but the bulk will be done now in view of the February tests between Sepang and Thailand. On February 28, with the first free practice, the 2025 world championship starts from Buriram. The future is just around the corner.

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