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Both the MotoGP and Superbike are enjoying a well-deserved winter vacation, and so are the managers who enliven the Championship paddock. Shortly before the start of the holidays, we had the opportunity to speak with Alberto Vergani, who granted us a long interview regarding the SBK and prototypes.
We decided to divide the interview into two parts, focusing on the MotoGP and all the negotiations that await the Championship on the horizon. In fact, the contracts of almost all the riders will expire in 2024. So, an exciting World Championship on the track, and off, is just around the corner.
“Next year, almost every contract will expire, so I expect a funambolatory market,” the manager from Milan stated. “I hope the negotiations won’t already be decided in Jerez because, otherwise, it’s going to be a real show. This year, the market ended very late. But, in 2024, I’m afraid they’ll want to battle it out early, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did.”
I’ll give you one name: Marc Marquez.
“Marc will be the cornerstone of everything. He can go to KTM, return to Honda, or stay with Ducati. In my opinion, these are the scenarios, and I’ll try to explain them.”
Go ahead!
“KTM will do everything to have another team, and there are various teams that can offer themselves, such as the VR46 or Cecchinello, just to name two. Since Marc is expiring, they could be betting big on him. Then there’s Honda. All that well wishing when they said goodbye makes me think there’s something going on, like a possible return.”
About Ducati.
“If Marc were to have a winning season, Ducati will have to bring him onto the official team, also because there are sponsors involved whoìll push in that direction. Knowing Gigi, I don’t think he wants to lose a champion like Marc after just one year on the Desmosedici, with all the competition willing to take him on, like Honda and KTM. Among other things, I’ll tell you a backstory.”
Of course.
“When rumors about Marc with Gresini began to circulate with Gresini, I wrote to Domenicali telling him: Claudio, snatch him up right away. You can’t let him get away.’ And the same goes for Nadia who ended up with a incredible pair of riders. Having known Fausto well, I imagine him grinning from up there in heaven. He’d be really happy with what his guys did.”
What should we expect from Marc in 2024?
“Marquez will give everyone a headache. It’s going to be a show. The clever rider from Valencia is worth more than many words, without forgetting what he’s done in terms of chrono. In fact, remember that, in Valencia, he only had one bike available, and he couldn’t risk it. About Marc, I remember what Danilo told me after beating him at Mugello: “He’s exhausting. He never gives up, and he’s not afraid of anything.”
Do you think he’s World Championship material?
“That’s certainly a possibility. In fact, I consider him one of the candidates to win the title. On paper, he went to Gresini to win the World Championship, not to be just another number or settle for some victory.”
When it comes to the market, Marquez’s situation will also involve the fate of other riders ...
“Of course, given that there are so many riders on the Ducati at the moment, and we probably won’t see them all again in 2025. If Martin doesn’t go to the factory team, I think he’ll leave, and he’s already made that clear with his latest statements. Jorge could go to KTM or Honda, while Bastianini could go to Aprilia. That wouldn’t be bad at all for him, but Enea must send a signal after last season’s difficulties.”
What about Bagnaia?
“Pecco has an amazing mental solidity, In fact, this year, he’s shown to withstand the pressure. We saw him in the last part of the championship, where he always managed to get out of trouble, and then finish in style with the victory of the title and the race in Valencia.”
