Bezzecchi and Bagnaia Unpack Differences Between Ducati GP23 and GP24: Insights from the Indonesian MotoGP

"Indeed, it's confirmed": Marco Bezzecchi delves into the nuances of GP23/GP24

"The bikes simply have these traits" – Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia discuss the distinctions between GP24 and GP23.

Throughout Sunday's Indonesian MotoGP, world champion Francesco Bagnaia closely followed Marco Bezzecchi's Ducati GP23 for a significant portion of the race.

On lap 22, Bagnaia managed to surpass Bezzecchi and then swiftly moved ahead of his GP24 teammate Franco Morbidelli in the following lap, securing third position.

Bagnaia recounted that it took him around ten laps to pass Bez, during which he found it challenging to deal with the grip of Bez's motorcycle. He mentioned that once he managed to get ahead of Bez, overtaking Frankie became significantly easier since Frankie had the same model of bike, allowing Bagnaia to apply his knowledge more effectively.

Bagnaia further commented, “The GP23 offers greater traction compared to our motorcycle, and this type of track significantly impacts acceleration. The grip at the back isn't very strong.

"In the initial surge, the GP23 possesses a slight edge. It's not a substantial leap forward, but it's a minor advancement that could be beneficial in certain scenarios."

The discrepancy in performance between the latest Desmosedicis and their predecessors has sparked considerable discussion this year.

Bezzecchi's performance has been a hot topic, dropping from achieving three victories and securing third place in the world championship riding a GP22, to currently ranking ninth and managing just one podium finish on a GP23 this season.

Following a fifth-place finish at Mandalika, the VR46 competitor concurred with Bagnaia's evaluation that the GP23 has enhanced capabilities when exiting corners: "Indeed, that's correct. However, we're facing significant challenges with traction upon entering corners."

"Bezzecchi noted that the GP24 excels in braking and cornering," he mentioned. "However, when it comes to traction, they definitely lack a bit."

"When there's a fresh front tire in play, we can aim to keep pace with them as we enter. Then, as we exit, we might find ourselves with an advantage."

"However, once we lose grip at the front, it's all over for us. They, on the other hand, are incredible."

"Their handling is impressive… They maintain speed upon entry, their acceleration is seamless. Plus, at the race's conclusion, they also boast superior grip."

"For me, it's simply a feature of the motorcycles. Our motorcycle offers better grip when exiting turns. It's beneficial. However, when it comes to turning and braking, it's quite poor."

"Every GP23 Ducati competitor voices concerns over a common issue. At certain circuits, I've managed to make some adjustments, while at others, I find it more challenging."

"However, generally speaking, the trait can be summarized as follows."

The ride-height mechanism installed in the factory also aids the GP24s in maintaining traction when accelerating on extended straight paths.

At the same time, the difficulties Bezzecchi faced with the GP23 at the start of corners influenced his choice to be one of the mere six racers opting for the soft front tire at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

"I struggled to maneuver the bike sharply, and as a result, I couldn't match my previous lap times," he explained.

The upcoming Aprilia team member secured a front row position in qualifying and achieved fourth place in the Sprint, however, faced a challenge at the beginning of Sunday's race.

"We encountered an initial issue that we're still trying to fully comprehend, which set us back: The mechanism meant to lower the front end failed to activate three consecutive times, meaning I essentially began with just the back end lowered in comparison to the rest," he explained.

"I positioned myself at the rear [of the pack], and with the gentle lead, it was crucial [challenging] to remain following someone throughout the entire race."

In my eagerness to overtake Franky, I maneuvered the bike aggressively, failing to halt, which left me with no further opportunity to attempt the pass again.

"However, I find joy in it; the struggle is always enjoyable."

Sporting a unique design for main sponsor Pertamina, Bezzecchi crossed the finish line just slightly after Morbidelli and 6.772 seconds behind the race victor, Jorge Martin.

Marc Marquez, the sole victor on the GP23 this year, was forced to withdraw from the seventh position following a dramatic technical malfunction on Sunday.

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