Ducati’s Tardozzi Speaks Candidly About Pecco Bagnaia: “It Was for the Best”
Ducati team principal Davide Tardozzi, in an interview with Moto.it, revisited Pecco Bagnaia’s departure from the Borgo Panigale-based team. After years filled with victories, Marc Marquez’s arrival on the factory Ducati team marked the beginning of the split between the Piedmontese rider and the Emilia-based team, which will be finalized at the end of this season.
“Pecco is the most successful rider in Ducati’s MotoGP history. He has 31 wins, 28 pole positions, 63 podium finishes, two world titles, and has been runner-up in the world championship twice. I believe that’s an incredibly enviable track record. He will remain and will always be part of Ducati’s history,” Tardozzi stated in an interview with moto.it. “The personal relationship and friendship we’ve built with this young man—who possesses unique professionalism, openness, and honesty—will never change. But in business, there are times when it’s best for both parties to part ways. At Aprilia, he’ll find a highly competitive bike. He deserves it.”
Ducati has decided to replace him with Pedro Acosta, who will leave KTM at the end of the year. The Spanish rider is considered one of the most talented riders in the series, second only to Marc Marquez: “I believe he’s the greatest talent of the last few generations. He’s dominated everything since his early days—he won the Rookies Cup, dominated Moto3, and dominated Moto2. In MotoGP, he hasn’t yet achieved what we believe he’s capable of, but he’ll get there—hopefully starting next year.”
Tardozzi’s confidence in Marquez is now absolute and has been further solidified over the course of this season. The team manager made no secret of his enthusiasm following the Catalan rider’s contract extension through 2028, which took place in recent weeks: “Marc is incredible and never ceases to amaze me. We know exactly what his physical condition is, and what he’s doing is superhuman. He’s doing what no other rider could do in his physical condition.”
