Austin MotoGP: Bagnaia: We can be very competitive, but Marc will be fastest

MotoGP’s newest winner Francesco Bagnaia has a chance to make it three consecutive premier class wins this weekend, a feat that not even championship leader Fabio Quartararo has managed this season; ‘I think we can be very competitive here. We need a chance to stay in front’.
Francesco Bagnaia , Misano MotoGP test, 21-22 September 2021
Francesco Bagnaia , Misano MotoGP test, 21-22 September 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Following back-to-back MotoGP wins in Ara꧃gon and Misano, there’s no dꦓoubt Francesco Bagnaia starts the American grand prix weekend as a firm favourite to make it three victories from three.

The Italꦆian’s stunning effort to hold off Fabio Quartararo in Misano came after a titanic battle with Marc Marquez in Aragon the week before, a race that was arguably 🌊the best of the season so far.  

Asked if he’s confident of repeating the success of the 🍎last two rounds, Bagnaia added: "A lot because it’s a track I like a lot. I’m always happy to come here to America. 

"I think t꧒hat our bike will suit very well on this track. I won the last two races and my feeling with the bike has grown a lot. 

"I know that it’s not an easy track. The first sector for us was not easy in past years. 2018 I was feelin🐲g not s💞o great with the bike and the movements of the bike with the bumps. 

"But, maybe this year with the new resurface i𓆉t wꦇill be a bit better. I think Yamaha will be fast, but Honda with Marc [Marquez] will be fastest." 

While Bagnaia sees Marquez as the clea🧔r favou🅘rite, the man he needs to beat is championship leader Quartararo - something he’s done the last two races. 

For tha💟t to happen though, being strong in previous weak spots for Ducati such as💞 the twisty sector one at COTA could play a vital role.

"Our bike suits better in all conditions and situations a😼t all tracks, So, this first sector is very similar to the Silverstone one, maybe a bit m൩ore difficult but similar," said Bagnaia. 

"We w🍃ere fast there and I think we can be very competitive here. We need a chance to stay in front so we need to ✅be competitive."

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