Bezzecchi Struggles to Adapt to 2023 Ducati in Qatar Grand Prix
As the 2024 MotoGP season kicked off in Qatar, all eyes were on Marco Bezzecchi, who had been marked as a potential title contender after finishing third in the standings last year with three wins on his year-old Ducati. However, the Italian’s performance in the Qatar Grand Prix left much to be desired.
Bezzecchi, who now rides the 2023-spec Ducati that won the championship last year, faced difficulties in adapting to the new bike. He qualified 15th and could only manage a 14th place finish in the race.
The main issue for Bezzecchi was a lack of feeling on the front end, a problem that also plagued his factory counterpart Enea Bastianini when he switched to the GP23 last year. This lack of front-end grip made it difficult for Bezzecchi to charge into corners and get the bike to turn, resulting in him burning up his rear tire trying to compensate with the throttle.
“We had taken a step forward in the warm-up, and I was happy because I finally felt pretty good on the bike,” Bezzecchi said of his Qatar GP. “But then, as soon as I started the race, my front end locked up a lot and I still can’t explain why.
“At that moment I began to lose sensations when braking and entering the corner, so I began to open the throttle earlier because I was missing something in terms of entry speed.
“That led me to run out of rear tire very soon. I tried to manage the situation, but with 11 laps to go I had already switched to [engine] map C, which is the one with the least power, and there was still half a race left.
“It has been a very difficult weekend for me. We found some interesting things, but we have also seen that it is very difficult to right a grand prix that starts in the wrong way.
“In Portimao, we hope to find a better base from Friday to do better on Saturday and Sunday.”
Bezzecchi Remains Focused on Improving Despite Struggles
Despite his struggles in Qatar, Bezzecchi remains determined to improve and find a better setup for his Ducati. He explained that his main issue is a lack of feeling with the front tire when braking, which causes the bike to not turn and results in him losing speed on the approach to corners.
“Or I go into corners too slowly, precisely because the bike does not turn, so I open the throttle too early and this way I run out of tires,” Bezzecchi said. “I’m struggling, but I’m working hard so I’ll get there. It’s a frustrating situation, but also motivating.”
While Bezzecchi’s struggles were evident, his VR46 team-mate Fabio Di Giannantonio managed to finish seventh in Qatar, while Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez finished sixth and fourth respectively. Bezzecchi acknowledged that studying their data will be crucial in improving his own performance.
“Obviously I look at the fastest riders, but the Marquez brothers and my team-mate have the same bike as me and they have managed to be faster, both in time attack and pace,” he said. “So, I want to focus on them and study the data to understand what I’m missing and why I can’t do what they do right now.”
Looking Ahead to the Future
Despite a difficult start to the season, Bezzecchi remains optimistic and is determined to bounce back in the upcoming races. With the support of his team and the data from his fellow Ducati riders, he is confident that he can improve and compete for the championship title.
Kosport Magazine’s Take
Bezzecchi’s struggles in the Qatar Grand Prix highlight the challenges of adapting to a new bike in the highly competitive world of MotoGP. While his performance may have been disappointing, his determination to improve and learn from his teammates’ data is a testament to his dedication and drive. We look forward to seeing how Bezzecchi and the rest of the MotoGP riders fare in the upcoming races.
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