Tardozzi (Ducati) ahead of Marquez’s match point: How a dream became reality

Thanks to a combination of faltering rivals – Jorge Martin, for instance – and a supremely fast Marc Marquez riding in the style of a true world champion, the balance of power has shifted in Ducati Lenovo’s favour since the Australian Grand Prix. Marc Marquez leads the World Championship standings by a comfortable margin, whilst Ducati has reclaimed first place in the manufacturers’ standings. If ‘MM93’ scores 30 points more than his struggling rival from the Aprilia works team at the upcoming desert event, the big World Championship celebration in red could already be underway at Losail.

However, Ducati Lenovo team manager Davide Tardozzi has been in the business long enough not to approach the situation with overconfidence. The paddock veteran, who played a significant part in the outstanding Ducati winning streak that began over five years ago, spoke to colleagues from MotoGP.com.

Respect for the Aprilia factory riders

“We have the chance to secure the championship in Qatar – but we also know that Martin and Bezzecchi will give absolutely everything to prevent that from happening. So it certainly won’t be an easy task. We have a great deal of respect for them, not least because we know both riders. We won a title together with Jorge. That’s why: it’s not over until it’s over,” said Tardozzi.

The team boss in the Ducati-Lenovo pit also added: “We must also view the situation in the context of the season as a whole. The fact that we have this chance here and now is extraordinary in itself. Just a few months ago, it was nothing more than a dream.”

Das erste Saisondrittel verlief für Marc Marquez oft nicht nach Plan

Foto: Gold and Goose

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Tardozzi looked back: “We’ve learnt that nothing is impossible with Marc Marquez. He was our beacon of hope at a time when we were going through a very difficult phase. After Mugello, there were a lot of very harsh words; it seemed as though people were already feeling like losers. But we all stuck together and made plans. Gigi in particular. They worked hard, knowing that our rider wasn’t at his best during that phase. Small improvements, bit by bit, then helped Marc to successfully put his incredible skills to use once again.”

The Mugello GP: a painful wake-up call

David Tardozzi once again confirmed the exceptional talent of the rider who may soon be an eight-time MotoGP World Champion: “There’s no rider who’s better in such a situation, and that, combined with a team that works together in every respect and is absolutely determined to succeed. That’s what makes the difference.”

Tardozzi identified the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello as the turning point. Aprilia had taken the lead on Ducati’s home circuit, triumphed and savoured the victory. Davide Tardozzi. “We were so poor at Mugello – partly, of course, because Marc wasn’t in the best physical shape – but the fact that Pecco finished third there was enough. We knew full well that something couldn’t be right. That was rock bottom and we knew we had to improve. Mugello was a major catalyst for the engineers, the riders – for all of us.”