MotoGP Portimao Bagnaia: “Ducati can stay ahead”. Zarco: “I enjoy it, but without stress”

Ducati presents itself in Portugal with Johann Zarco’s leadership in the world championship and the excellent race of his teammate in the Pramac team, Jorge Martin, in the Doha GP. The official team duo, Bagnaia-Miller, with the Australian declared ‘fit to race’ after surgery on his arm for compartment syndrome, has high expectations from the Portimao race.

Bagnaia and experience

Francesco Bagnaia on the Desmosedici of the factory team is gaining experience: “In the first race in Qatar I learned to manage the tires, in the second also, but above all not to brake in the wake of another bike, because when I did it behind Zarco then went wide. I also understood that we must always try to reach the limit with the tires we have – says Bagnaia -. I have a great feeling at the front of the bike and I think we can go well here too: last year on this track. Miller had had a great GP, while I had suffered, but now I arrive here in a different situation and I feel better on the bike. ”

Victory lost, but …

The Doha GP was teaching, but Pecco looks ahead: “I lost the chance to fight for the win because I was fast and I threw this opportunity away. Having the chance to fight for success is a very positive thing to start from again. and here I think we can fight for the top 5 – says Bagnaia -. Jorge Martin? He did a great job being a rookie: in the first race he struggled, but in the second he was fast, constant, competitive and managed the race well “.

Zarco and leadership

Johann Zarco enjoys the top of the standings: “Being the leader is special, it’s a good feeling: it’s the best position to start the European GPs and I think Ducati will do well here too, I have good feelings – says the Frenchman of the ducati Pramac – . I am optimistic, but above all serene: I will try to maintain this level, fight for the podium and not give myself too much pressure. I understand that this sport is made up of ups and downs: if I can maintain this position and remain a leader well, but I do not want to give myself unnecessary stress “.

Jorge Martin

This is what Jorge Martin expects, revelation in the Doha GP with pole and 3rd place after a race often led in the lead and expected at the litmus test with his Ducati Pramac. “I imagine a difficult race, because it is a complicated circuit and rain is also expected for Friday – says Jorge, rookie in MotoGP -. However, I want to keep my approach, as a rookie, and always try to stay in the top 10 in every session. In Qatar I realized that I improved a lot from one race to the next, both by avoiding mistakes and with the help of the team: I want to continue like this. ”

Miller is ok for racing

Jack Miller is ready to run after the arm surgery for compartment syndrome performed after the Doha GP: “The arm is fine, the recovery was faster than expected and two days after the operation I could already train. I feel good and ready to race, but it’s clear that the real test is riding a MotoGP – says the Australian from Ducati – This circuit is very physical, but I’m calm and relaxed: I’ll try to do my best, but I don’t want to waste energies to think about things I cannot change. “