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

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."