Franco Morbidelli on Ducati Spec at Sepang MotoGP Test: A Tale of Two Bikes
The Sepang MotoGP test saw Franco Morbidelli, the sole satellite-spec Ducati rider, take to the track alongside the factory GP26 machines. This was due to Fermin Aldeguer's injury, which left Morbidelli as the only satellite-spec rider.
The 'satellite' Ducati riders typically use a version of the previous season's factory bike, usually the GP25. However, the GP25 had a mixed reception last season, with Marc Marquez praising it, while Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio di Giannantonio, Morbidelli's VR46 teammate, were less than impressed.
This led many to speculate that Morbidelli and Aldeguer should stick with the well-rounded GP24 for the final 1000cc competition season.
Then, in a winter interview, Morbidelli's crew chief, Matteo Flamigni, hinted at a different approach: "Franco will keep last year's bike."
VR46 quickly downplayed the comments, stating, "It doesn't make sense to talk about [bike] numbers; it will be the best non-factory package."
But after the Sepang test, Morbidelli set the record straight: "I wouldn't call my bike a GP25. I don't know who told you that I'm using the GP25."
When asked if it was a GP24, he replied, "It's a mix of the things that all Ducati riders preferred, so it's that kind of package."
Morbidelli clarified, "I don't know if it's exactly the GP25 that Pecco complained about last year."
He expressed his belief, "I felt faster than last year's race weekend."
Morbidelli continued, "The first day, we needed to adjust, and we did so well... that's it."
He added, "I don't know if it's correct to call it GP25, GP26, GP24.2, or GP24.9."
"Ducati is a strong manufacturer that can supply riders with whatever they like and want, once confirmed after testing," he explained.
"So, don't assume my bike is the one Pecco didn't like last year."
"My bike is a package chosen by the riders who could make a choice within Ducati."
Despite the uncertainty, Morbidelli's bike performed well, taking the second-fastest time on day two, though he couldn't improve on the final day.
"We worked hard, understood the new package, and sorted our base setting," he said.
"We didn't achieve the perfect time attack due to a slowdown lap mistake, but the speed is good, and the feeling is more important."
Morbidelli acknowledged, "There's room for improvement, and the gap to Alex [Marquez] is still too large, four and a half tenths."
"We'll continue to work to reduce that gap, but overall, it was a positive three days of testing."
The final pre-season MotoGP test will take place at Buriram on February 21-22.
