Davide Tardozzi is smiling at the end of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, because one of 'his' riders won big with an overtaking move on the last lap. But of course in his gaze there is also the other side of the coin, which is a crash for Pecco Bagnaia that drops him to -24 in the standings from Martìn on the very day that seemed destined to end with Pecco back on top of the world championship.
"We are very happy for Enea of course - said Davide - but Pecco's crash leaves a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth. He was going really strong but then he didn't conclude the race. I talked to him quickly, but this is not the time to delve into things, I think you have to have time to digest this disappointment, both for Pecco and for us. Then we will talk about it in more detail in the coming days."
What do you think about the overtaking move?
"Martìn and Bastianini made it clear right away, this is also a bit part of racing. Then Martìn had also come a little bit long. It fits, they both wanted to win it, they are two great riders and two great champions who did an extraordinary race."
Two champions you will lose.
"Yes, we're going to lose both of them, but you also have to rebalance the championship. I'm making a joke, of course."
What do you say to those who think you will help Bagnaia?
"I think that of everything I read about it, I just laugh. We are not going to do anything that goes against the performance of a rider who is on a Ducati until the last lap of the last race of the season. Martìn and his team are absolutely serene in knowing that we will not remove a pin from what is the equipment of the Ducati Factory, which is exactly like those of Bagnaia and Bastianini."
Win No. 100 for Ducati in MotoGP, did you think it would come so soon?
"Good satisfaction, I honestly didn't think it would come so soon. But in the last four years there has been an incredible acceleration thanks to Gigi Dall'Igna and his guys, because I think that this great praise goes to them, to the engineers at Borgo Panigale. They have done an incredible job, managed by Gigi who is always far-sighted in understanding where to go and work on and also in managing the riders. Like in 2020, when he made decisions that led us to the situation we are in today."
Are you worried about this -24 points disadvantage for Bagnaia?
"There is no need to worry, although we are always worried also about the other manufacturers that even if they are not competitive at the moment, soon they will be again. We have two riders who are fighting for the world championship. 24 points to recover is a lot for Pecco, as it is also a lot for Enea, 59 points from Martìn. The ranking can change very quickly, I think the next two races will give us some indications. Then it is true that whoever is leading the world championship now is overdoing it and has shown continuity and speed. If Martìn wins the world championship, we will be under the podium cheering and I guarantee that."
Can you explain your point of view on the overtaking move?
"I think both Martìn and Bastianini arrived long. They both overdid it, Jorge was long but he still tried to close. Then it is clear that when Jorge at the last tried to close, they touched. But in that braking both were over the limit."
What did you say to Bagnaia in the box?
"I told Pecco I was sorry about the crash, something obviously happened in the first half of the race, but we will talk about it in the next few days when we are all calmer. He had the speed, he is our champion. I want to talk about this in a few days, right now to draw sums on Pecco would be wrong."