Francesco Bagnaia for redemption, Marco Bezzecchi for a fabulous encore.
The Gp of the Americas in Austin, the third round of the MotoGp world championship, will not be a two-way challenge, despite the absence due to injury of two possible protagonists such as Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini, but it is inevitable that the world champion and the winner of the last race, in Argentina, as well as the current points leader, will be in the spotlight, as they were in Thursday's press conference.
The Ducatis excel and it will in any case be an open challenge, starting with the sprint race on Saturday, which the riders try to appreciate despite the additional risks and efforts.
"I crashed at Termas, now let's move on - Bagnaia made it clear immediately -. I love Austin, one of the most demanding tracks, but this year we're better prepared. The bike is more agile, here it will help us and the first two sectors can be our strengths".
"I tried to understand what happened in Argentina but we couldn't find a real reason and therefore we have to think only about this weekend. It's not yet time to think about the championship but in any case I mustn't take too many risks", continued the Ducati.
"We all know Bezzecchi's talent and speed but it's too early to make a list of candidates for the title, I don't even want to put my name on it, because the season is very long", concluded the rider from Turin, seated next to the rider from Rimini .
He said he was happy with the win in Argentina but also determined "to keep his feet on the ground. I'd say it's too early to think about the championship, I'm just enjoying the win in Argentina. Here I'll have the same attitude, I'll try to be fast but I always try to use my brain and I prefer to score one point over zero. My goal for this season is to improve on last season."
The Rimini rider also explained that he appreciated the sprint race, a novelty this season in the premier class.
"I like it, even if it's difficult, compared to the longer race, a different approach is needed, it's like getting into a ring. For the fans it's nice, the problem is that it's very frenetic, within an already demanding weekend but over time we will begin to manage it better", said Bezzecchi, who expects sparks on the track despite the absence of Bastianini and Marquez, "they are two opponents less but the level of the race will be equally high".