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Michele Masini arrives in Qatar enjoying the top of the MotoGP riders' classification of his protégé in Gresini Racing, namely Alex Marquez who in this 2025 season has started in a great way by racking up podiums and having magnificent weekends. All this also on the back of the Austin Grand Prix, during which for the first time this season the crystal-clear talent of Fermin Aldeguer, a rookie for the Faenza-based team and capable of providing some great entertainment in the GP at COTA before making a mistake, emerged.
Masini agreed to talk in the Losail paddock with our correspondent Matteo Aglio, to comment together on this moment of Gresini Racing and also offer a more complete view on a world championship that in Qatar sees the return of Jorge Martìn, the rider with the #1 plate on the fairing of his Aprilia. Many topics were covered in this GPOne To One, from the fortitude of Alex Marquez, to the state of grace of Ducati, including the confrontation between Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia.
In what climate does Gresini Racing arrive in Qatar?
"The climate is beautiful, we enjoyed this week because I think it was fulfilling for everyone, for all the efforts we make. We also have the motivation to do even more. This championship is going to be very tight, because if a rider who hasn't won yet is leading the world championship, it means that everyone has to be careful. Even those who win have to be very consistent."
Would you have believed that a few months ago?
"Not me, the only thing I had asked of Alex was to start the world championship with the same intensity he showed in testing and he is doing that, so I can only congratulate him. Alex deserves to be reevaluated."
So many also underestimate him because of his brother, but he has still won two world championships and not many here can say that.
"When we wanted Alex on our team, we wanted him mainly because of the motivation he had inside him, he wanted to get there. We knew it, he is hungry and then he is ready to face the hard work also because with the weight that, as you said, he is carrying on his shoulders he is coming out even stronger. Other personalities the comparison would not have kept him. Instead he is reasoning and working like the champion he is."
In your opinion, has 2024 with Marc on the team helped him in any way?
"We all learned a lot, I've always said that in other interviews as well. 2024 was a super formative year, which also taught us how to overcome some technical issues, how to overcome some pit experience issues. In my opinion, it made us take a step forward."
Instead, how do you see Marc and Pecco living together in Ducati?
"It's something that challenges you, even as a team. You have to keep a complex situation under control, and I think they are doing it really well. It's clear that there are pros and cons to having a situation like that, also because today if you don't win, if you do second or third, it looks like you had a bad race. But that's not the case, because the world championship is very long. In my opinion it's very early to talk about certain things."
As you experience Ducati's dominance, you certainly can't complain!
"I am aware that the Japanese manufacturers are making steps, especially Honda right now. We're talking hundredths, tenths even. Maybe the positions don't change, but we who are here realize how close they have come. But we also know the balance that our bike has achieved, so we expected to experience a 2025 season start like this."
Finally Martìn is back, you in Gresini know him well.
"Yes, I saw him yesterday. I am very happy to have him back on track, we have a great history with him, he won the Moto3 world championship with Gresini, he is still connected to our team and we are connected to him. It's good for everyone to have him back on the track, I'm very sorry he was out for so long."
And instead, what about Aldeguer, your rookie?
"We're very happy, we've been telling him since the beginning of the year that we don't want a single result, but rather to build together a result and then stay consistent. In my opinion he is now in the middle of a process that is going very well. In Austin he did not finish the race, but I have nothing to complain about because he did very well. Race after race he understands the bike better and better, how to adapt to the tires, the electronics. You have to grow in steps, but I am happy with how he is working."
