We must improve

We return to the top of the podium for the first time this year thanks to an outstanding Alex Marquez: he takes first place in a score table on which an excellent Di Giannantonio placed third. We had already shown important signs of recovery in qualifying and in the Sprint race with the 1-2 finish of the factory bikes for an all-Ducati podium, in a race that was greatly conditioned by the unpredictable weather. Great bitterness remains for our riders' GP: we record a double zero. Two DNFs that proved very heavy indeed for us.

A race that began with an exhilarating start by Marc, who unfortunately fell on the following lap, and continued with the dominance of his brother Alex and the excellent performance of Di Giannantonio. Pecco, instead, was forced to retire owing to a technical problem. It could and should have been a different Sunday for our factory team; but it turned out as doubly disappointing. Firstly because conditions were there to perform well, and secondly because of the way we exited the scene of a race to be forgotten.

The other Family Teams, Gresini and VR46, stepped up to uphold the Ducati name; my congratulations go to them, and we join in their celebrations. Alex shakes off a complicated start to the season and triumphs deservedly at the track where he won for the first time in premier class. He was undoubtedly the fastest throughout the entire weekend. A consistent and aggressive Diggia didn’t have the best of starts but quickly fought his way back. Solid, gritty and confident, his maturity is showing up alongside his confirmation as the top Ducati in the championship standings.

From this perspective, the balance is positive following the difficulties encountered in the first few GPs, but the lack of results from the factory riders is obviously felt. Truth is that we must improve and continue to pitch in our unremitting efforts to give our riders that something extra. Monday Tests were fundamental in this regard. Many aerodynamic innovations were tested, some of which will certainly be used in upcoming races. Now is the time to analyse the data collected and to make the right decisions.

A compelling and hard-fought championship is ahead of us - indeed, it is already upon us. New challenges await us, and these are exactly what make us love what we do every day: we live for them and for the emotions that our sport gives us and our fans, even more so when Italian manufacturers are proving to be the protagonists.

Forza Ducati!