Gigi Dall'Igna's Duty At Ducati Fulfilled - "I Could Resign"
Categories: MotoGP
Winning the riders’ world championship title in MotoGP and World Superbike is a dream come true for Gigi Dall’Igna. But will Ducati be able to stay at the top in both classes?
With Francesco Bagnaia’s victory in MotoGP and the first riders’ world title since 2007, Ducati is on top of the world after a terrific season – top strategist Luigi Dall’Igna has finally reached his goal.
Pecco Bagnaia in Valencia 2022 – Image provided by Motorsport Images
For the Italian, it is the first rider’s title under his management, for which he switched to the Ducatisti in 2014.
Dall’Igna has won more than 50 titles in various World Championship classes. He triumphed in the two-stroke classes and the Superbike World Championship with Aprilia. The world championship title in MotoGP was open for many years.
In an interview with Marca, the Italian commented on the past season: “This was the title that was missing. It is without a doubt the most important title.”
His “biggest challenge” has been mastered with last year’s win. But what comes next for him and his team?
“When you get to a certain point, it’s difficult to stay there,” the Italian explains. So, defending the riders’ championship title is the main goal for Ducati – truly a big challenge.
Dall’Igna jokes: “Alternatively, I could resign.” In 2023, the competition in the truly gigantic Ducati rider line-up is likely to be even greater than in Pecco Bagnaia’s world championship season.
Enea Bastianini, one of Bagnaia’s biggest and most promising rivals in 2022, was brought into the team.
A “cuddle-up approach” similar to the one with Jack Miller in the last two years is unlikely to happen again.
Asked about who is to fight for the title in 2023, Dall’Igna mentions Marc Marquez in particular, in addition to the well-known rivals from 2022.
“Marquez has shown that he is someone who embodies determination and strength. Moreover, he has a riding style that should worry the others.”
Despite the long injury break in 2022 and a long re-acclimatization period, the Spaniard is high on Ducati’s list of rivals, not least because of the pre-pandemic years.
“Anyone who is not afraid of Marc Marquez is just crazy. Marc Marquez is always dangerous.”
