MotoGP, Ciabatti: “We have two good opportunities in Austria"

During this first part of the season, the Ducati riders have often played a starring role and it’s no fluke that championship leader Fabio Quartararo is chased by fellow countryman Johann Zarco and by Francesco Bagnaia. The season has got off to a good start in Borgo Panigale and Ducati Corse sporting director Paolo Ciabatti draws some initial conclusions.

“It’s too soon to make any predictions as to our title chances” admits Ciabatti while talking to Speedweek.com. He adds, “We hope to be able to continue to fight for the podium in every race. We’d like to score a few more wins in the next races. We have a good opportunity in the two Austrian races”. The Desmosedici has won five out of six races at the Red Bull Ring, which clearly provides a golden opportunity.

 Insufficient punishment

Quartararo is the rider to beat and the Italian confirms this: “He’s really very fast and consistent”. He then touches on the episode that saw the Frenchman slowed down by his open leathers: “What I’m going to say won’t make me popular, but Fabio was lucky not to get a black flag at the Catalunya GP with his zip open. Both the penalties he received were light. The day after the race, the stewards admitted that a black flag would have been right”.

He goes on to add: “I don’t want to complain, but Fabio crossed the line third and was put back to sixth place. So he scored ten points, which was a good result for him in terms of the championship”. But he was nevertheless running a strong race: “Fabio was fighting Oliveira for the win at Montmeló before the problem with his leathers. So he was very competitive there too, and is our strongest rival for the title. He rides very well and his feeling with the Yamaha is essentially very good at every track”.

Translated by Heather Watson

A memorable weekend for Aprilia, winners in BSB and MotoAmerica