Casey Stoner fears Ducati favouritism for Bagnaia in Barcelona

Passing through Italy to give demonstrations at the two-wheeler show (EICMA) in Milan, the double world champion of MotoGP, Casey Stoner, did not fail to make people talk about him. Taking advantage of his transalpine trip to visit the pilots of the VR46 Academy, in the Ranch de Valentino Rossi, the Australian also gave some interviews, where he was invited to discuss the unavoidable fight for the title between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia.

In comments relayed by the Gazetta dello Sport, Casey Stoner did not hold back when discussing potential favouritism for the factory team rider in Barcelona. Something that Borgo Panigale has so far always avoided admitting.

If Jorge Martin approaches the Barcelona Grand Prix with a twenty-four point lead over his opponent, Stoner predicts a final full of pitfalls, accentuated by the fact that he will be racing under the colours of Aprilia next year.

"I think Jorge deserves the title and is in a position to win it., confides the latter in the columns of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Pecco will do everything he can to win it. And Ducati would like to keep the number 1. I hope everything goes well. There could be chaos."

« I know the brand and I know what they're willing to do to win. I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner. Or maybe it just happened and Jorge is good at it."

Jorge Martin embarrassed by Ducati in Barcelona? ©Red Bull Content Pool

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A rivalry that disturbs Ducati

Gigi Dall'Igna, the brand's personality, has been hammering home for months that neither of the two title contenders has an advantage in this duel. Not even Pecco Bagnaia, although the latter is part of the factory team. According to Casey Stoner, however, the threat does not come from there.

"That's what Gigi thinks, he assures us so as not to call into question the engineer's words. But there are the Ducati bosses. They don't want to lose the number 1. Everyone is watching them very closely. If they make a mistake like that, it will be discovered. If they create a problem, it will backfire on them. I hope everything goes well and we see the real world champion."

It would indeed be disappointing to see Ducati try to block Jorge Martin's path, as the outcome of this final is so eagerly awaited. After a first clash in 2023, the fight for the title has kept millions of spectators on tenterhooks in recent months, gaining in intensity in the most recent rounds. A fight punctuated in particular by an anthology duel in Sepang, during the Malaysian GP race.

Aside from the ethical aspect, Jorge Martin has proven that he deserves to become world champion, progressing at lightning speed. In one year, the Spaniard has learned from his mistakes to continually measure himself against a Pecco Bagnaia who is in better shape than ever. This is evidenced by the ten victories won by the Italian this season.

The chance of a lifetime?

This opportunity to take the crown could also be the only one for the Pramac rider for many seasons. The current state of form of the Aprilia RS-GP, which he will ride next year, does not allow any rider to compete with the Desmosedici GP in twenty rounds. Casey Stoner does not find it fair that Marc Marquez was promoted to the factory team in place of the #89 last June, given the efforts and work that Martin has done with Ducati.

Casey Stoner regrets Ducati's methods © Red Bull Content Pool

"Jorge has shown what he is capable of and has continually improved, Casey Stoner notes again. He deserves to win the world title. For Ducati it is a big blow to lose it next year. But I think it is even bigger for Jorge. He has been loyal to the brand all these years. He has made extraordinary efforts to be the only one capable of fighting Bagnaia. To win races and the title. They have deprived him of access to the factory team. I don't think it is fair."

Stoner criticizes Ducati mentality

A ruthless work ethic that bothers the Australian. The opportunity for the latter to air his dirty linen in public. He thus began to list with regret certain values ​​of the brand that he does not share.

« Unfortunately, that's how Ducati works. That's why they lost so many riders. You have to have the best bike, but you don't just race for money. You race for passion and to have fun. And when there are people who turn their backs on you so easily, you find motivation by going elsewhere."

Methods that he is not criticizing for the first time, and that he had already commented on in this way during previous divorces. This was notably the case during the announcement of the end of the adventure between Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati.

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