Bike: Bagnaia 3 perfect months, from -91 to possible overtaking

The run-up to Fabio Quartararo, who crashed in Aragon and in the second retreat of the year, brought Francesco Bagnaia from the maximum gap of -91 (after the German GP on June 19, the last race in which he collected a zero) to -10 on the eve of Motegi.

Three months practically perfect for the Ducati rider, who now sees overtaking the French world champion within reach.

    But the victory conquered by Enea Bastianini on the last lap deprived him of the fifth consecutive success.

"If those 5 lost points weigh? Obviously we hope not, we would have preferred Pecco to win" commented Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati director.

Could there be team games in the five remaining GPs?

"We will make assessments. We have always said that whoever is in front must have the right to aim for victory, but now we will have to take into account the dynamics in order not to waste the chance.

    We have been missing the drivers' title since 2007 ...".

    Message for Bastianini, who rides with a Ducati of the Gresini team, but from 2023 he will be in the factory team, paired with Bagnaia.

On Sunday, the 24-year-old from Rimini, nicknamed the 'Beast', for nothing in the world would have given up on taking revenge at Misano, where he was the one to give in in the final.

    Also because he did not like the comments of those who accused her of having been the squire of the future companion.

    On their respective social networks, Bastianini and Bagnaia exchanged images of kisses and hugs, as well as messages of mutual congratulations.

But at this point in the MotoGP world championship, every overtaking has an enormous specific weight.

"These 20 points were important and I preferred not to take risks," explained Bagnaia.

    However, if at the end of the season his accounts do not return due to that second place, the thought can only go back to Aragon Sunday.

    "I knew I could win, but I wanted to do it in a clean way - explained Bastianini - Pecco is playing for the title, I'm a little further away. The important thing is to always be correct".

The friendship / rivalry between the two could also be a stimulus for the Turinese, who since the announcement of Bastianini's arrival to the official team has made it clear that he does not want and do not expect 'help' from his future teammate.

What is certain is that Ducati will have to be able to manage a pair of the highest level.

And with the ambitions the pressure will also increase, especially on Bastianini's shoulders.

    As for the current championship, the ambitions of Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia should not be underestimated.

Even the Spaniard, third yesterday and now at -17 from the Yamaha champion, will have the opportunity to overtake him in Japan.

"After what happened to Fabio, clearly the championship is more open than ever. There are riders faster than me at the moment - admitted Espargaro - but they have the obligation to win, while for us every good result is a great satisfaction. . So let's try and have fun, until the end "