Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia has thrown his help behind WorldSBK standout Nicolo Bulega as his candidate to exchange Fabio di Giannantonio at VR46 Racing for the ultimate two occasions of the 2024 MotoGP season.
The satellite tv for pc squad is presently mulling choices because it prepares to lose di Giannantonio for the concluding Malaysian and Valencia occasions, the Italian having chosen to curtail his season in favour of present process surgical procedure on his troublesome shoulder harm.
At current, paddock chatter forward of this weekend’s Thailand Grand Prix suggests former Ducati MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone is in line for the seat, 5 years on from his final look within the top-flight previous to him serving a four-year sentence for doping offences.
Whereas would-be Ducati stablemates Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez every welcome the prospect of a return to MotoGP for Iannone, the 2022 and 2023 world champion has nominated Bulega as his most popular selection for the vacant seat.
A former member of the VR46 Academy, Bulega gave a star flip in his rookie WorldSBK marketing campaign with the manufacturing unit Ducati group, scoring six victories en path to the runner-up spot within the last standings.
It’s a efficiency Bagnaia believes Ducati ought to reward with a shot at a MotoGP debut, even when he’s cautious in regards to the problem of stepping in for both Bulega or Iannone after Alvaro Bautista struggled to adapt throughout a one-off outing in Sepang final season.
“I hope to see Bulega on this bike as a result of when you might have the chance to attempt a MotoGP bike you need to take it and I feel Iannone will get pleasure from it lots.
“Sepang isn’t a straightforward observe, we noticed that final season with Bautista, however I feel he’ll benefit from the MotoGP and can take it as a enjoyable second.”
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Workforce
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
Bagnaia’s views however, there was a constructive response to the notion of Iannone getting the prospect to each return to MotoGP and Ducati.
The Italian spent 4 seasons with the Borgo Panigale marque, notching up one win and 7 podiums throughout his stint. Nevertheless, his profession was derailed in 2019 whereas racing with Aprilia when he failed a medicine check that may earn him a ban from racing for 4 years.
However, regardless of the prolonged interval of non-action, Iannone made a triumphant return to competitors this season in WorldSBK aboard the privateer Go Eleven Ducati, attaining one win and 5 podiums.
For Pramac’s Martin and Gresini’s Marquez, Iannone has earned the prospect to race within the premier class as soon as extra.
“For me, it’s good to see him again in MotoGP,” factors chief Martin stated. “After what he went via, then he went to WorldSBK and received a race, so he’s demonstrating that he’s nonetheless on degree. So possibly he’s nonetheless quick and I feel it’s a good alternative to point out folks that he’s nonetheless robust.
“For me it could be good to see him there, as a result of we had good fights,” added Marquez. “In fact it’s tremendous troublesome to be quick in a single race after 4 years.
“Possibly he’s superman and may do it, as a result of he’s an excellent expertise however it will likely be good and I feel the method is sort of a current.”
