until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

MotoGP

Ducati picks Bastianini over Martin for 2023 factory promotion

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
2 min read

until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

Enea Bastianini has won the race for the second factory Ducati seat for 2023, chosen over Jorge Martin to partner Francesco Bagnaia.

Spaniard Martin had been the favourite to slot in alongside Bagnaia next year coming into 2022, but has been eclipsed by 2020 Moto2 champion Bastianini this season.

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The Italian, riding a year-old Desmosedici run by Gresini, picked up three wins and is 31 points clear of Martin, who has not had the most straightforward sophomore season on a 2022-spec Ducati run by Pramac.

And while Martin has indicated that he expected the fact he was having to work with a still-developing bike compared to Bastianini’s more complete GP21 to play into Ducati’s decision, he has ultimately failed to convince the higher-ups that he was the better choice.

“We are delighted to have Bastianini in the factory team,” said tech chief Gigi Dall’Igna as Ducati announced a customary two-year deal for the Italian.

“Enea is a very talented rider who has matured a lot in these two years with Ducati. He has been able to grow quickly, scoring two podiums in his debut year in MotoGP and then taking three stunning victories this year with Gresini Racing in Qatar, the USA and France. We are convinced that next year, as an official Ducati Lenovo Team rider, he will be able to take another step forward and be among the protagonists in every race.”

The battle between Bastianini and Martin for the ride looked finely poised during the summer break, and neither of the two races since added much in the way of decisive clarity.

At Silverstone, Martin outqualified Bastianini and spent much of the race ahead – but the Italian, despite riding a GP21 missing much of its aero fairing after early contact with none other than Martin, managed to reel him in and pass him late on.

And at the Red Bull Ring Bastianini started from his career-first pole but broke the front wheel against a kerb, while Martin then fell out of fourth place while trying to lunge down the inside of Jack Miller – who Bastianini is replacing for 2023 – for third.

The announcement means Martin is to remain at Pramac alongside Johann Zarco – something the Ducati satellite team confirmed later on Friday.

Whatever the choice for Bagnaia’s team-mate, Ducati promised Bastianini and Martin full parity in terms of machinery for 2023.

“It was not an easy choice,” Dall’Igna added. “Enea and Jorge Martin are two very fast and young riders, which is precisely why we still wanted to ensure the same material and technical support for both.

“We are sure they will be able to show all their great talent on track.”

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