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Just before Christmas vacation, we chatted with Alberto Vergani about the year that just ended. The first part of the interview was dedicated to the MotoGP, and the second was about the Superbike.
Petrucci triumphed in the Superbike in 2024, becoming the first rider to win in the MotoGP, MotoAmerica, Dakar, and SBK. The manager from Milan analyzed what Petrux accomplished.
"I think it was a picture-perfect 2024 for Danilo," Vergani told us. "The dream for 2025 is to try to win the World Championship, like Martin did with Pramac. In fact, I like to dream about 2011, when Checa won the title. Of course, it's really difficult because there's Toprak, the factory Ducatis, but I think we should keep the bar high."
What's the key to getting the title?
"Gasperini, coach of for the Atalanta team, said something very interesting. 'I don't want there to be talk about the championship in the locker room.' I perfectly agree with him since, in order to aim for the goal, you have to keep your head down and be humble."
Earlier, you mentioned Toprak. Is he going to the MotoGP in 2026?
"Why not? BMW is interested, Dorna is building golden bridges, and KTM's situation could favor BMW's entry into the MotoGP, maybe as early as 2026. Why not?"
All the contracts in the Superbike will expire this year. Who'll command the market?
"Ducati and BMW will command the market. BMW has shown its competitiveness, and Toprak has raised the level of the others, as well. In fact, Van der Mark has won and gotten podiums, as has Gerloff. In my opinion, Bulega stays with Ducati while, Alvaro, I don't know what he'll do. They'll have to understand Ducati's strategy, since the market is unpredictable, and Gigi always pulls a rabbit out of the hat. I'd like to mention that, if the deal with Yamaha didn't go through and Alvaro retired, Miller was one of Dall'Igna's favorites."
Let's talk about Petrucci. His contract expires in 2025. Does he stay with Barni or does he leave?
"Right now, there are two bikes that win. Ducati and BMW. I'm afraid that Ducati factory doesn't consider him much and, consequently, BMW factory could be a possible alternative should a spot become free. But our priority is Ducati and Barni, since Marco has done something really incredible this year, putting in resources, commitment, and investment. Finally, we won in Cremona. We couldn't do any better."
What's the secret of the chemistry with Barni?
"I'd really like to think of Barni as a Pramac team in the SBK, because there's a great balance in the team. Also, let's not forget that, in 2024, Petrucci got injured and was out for a long time. Without that stop, I don't know how it would've ended. With Barni, there's definitely a special chemistry, and congratulations to Marco for the gentleman and the person he is."
Will people then be curiois about Bassani and Bimota in 2025?
"Axel liked the new bike right away, and I trust the feelings of the riders a lot. In fact,he was confident right from the start. It's definitely going to be an interlocutory year, but his 2025 will start out good, because he quickly found those sensations that Ducati had given him."
What will Bautista do instead? Leave or double up?
"If your not comfortable with the bike, there's little you can do. In fact, I've seen it in the past, with Melandri and Checa, because the moment you lose your enthusiasm, then everything else falls apart, too. Bautista has won two world championships. We'll see what he'll do. It's going to depend on him."
Do you think Bautista is affected more by Bulega or Toprak?
"Good question. Toprak is a cat. He showed incredible things. Melandri was impressed when he saw him take off in tests with the BMW. He has absolute mastery of the bike. He does what he wants with the bike, and it certainly wasn't easy for Bautista to accept either one."
Did Bulega surprise you?
"Bulega was a wonderful surprise. I congratulated him in person for what he did on and off the track. It was his first year as a rookie, and he became vice world champion in SBK. Plus, he always spoke with sincerity and transparency. Unlike Bautista, Nicolò was honest in saying that the problem wasn't BMW but Toprak. What can I say. hats off to him! As of today, Bulega is the team leader of the Aruba team. He deserves an A-plus, with a kiss on the forehead."
