In the 2024 MotoGP season, Davide Tardozzi, Ducati’s team manager, has made a bold claim: reigning champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is surpassing even the legendary Casey Stoner. This remark underscores the remarkable season Bagnaia is enjoying, as he asserts his dominance and skill across circuits worldwide. Tardozzi’s comparison holds weight, as Stoner, a Ducati icon, brought the team its first MotoGP championship in 2007, earning a near-mythical status among fans and within Ducati’s ranks. But according to Tardozzi, Bagnaia’s performance this year is carving a new legacy, pushing the limits of what Ducati’s riders have achieved.
Bagnaia’s Rise to the Top
Francesco Bagnaia joined Ducati with substantial expectations. Trained in the highly competitive environment of the VR46 Academy, he quickly became a star of the Italian racing circuit. His first MotoGP championship win in 2022 solidified his status as one of the sport’s elite, and his skill, consistency, and tactical acumen have only grown since then. As the reigning champion, Bagnaia entered 2024 with both pressure and expectations, carrying the responsibility of defending Ducati’s title against fierce competitors.
His performance throughout the season has been consistently remarkable, demonstrating not just speed but strategic brilliance on the track. Bagnaia’s control over his Ducati machine, coupled with his composed racing style, has allowed him to edge out competitors in crucial moments. His work on improving lap times, overtaking on challenging circuits, and minimizing errors has become evident in every race, showcasing the maturity that Tardozzi believes puts him above past Ducati legends.
A Legacy to Match: Casey Stoner’s Ducati Years
Casey Stoner’s legacy with Ducati is one of the most celebrated stories in MotoGP history. When he won the 2007 championship with Ducati, he not only brought the team its first premier class title but also broke the dominance of Japanese manufacturers, establishing Ducati as a powerful force. Stoner’s aggressive riding style, his fearlessness, and his mastery of the Ducati Desmosedici GP7 became legendary. His accomplishments and daring approach brought immense pride to Ducati and Italian motorsports, making him a cherished figure in MotoGP.
Tardozzi’s comparison of Bagnaia to Stoner isn’t just about raw performance but about how both riders have elevated Ducati’s reputation. The 2024 season, however, has highlighted a difference: while Stoner was known for his raw speed and unpredictable daring, Bagnaia’s edge lies in his strategic prowess and adaptability. Tardozzi believes this combination gives Bagnaia an advantage that even the fearless Stoner did not possess during his Ducati tenure.
Tardozzi’s Perspective on Bagnaia’s Triumphs
Davide Tardozzi is an authoritative voice in the MotoGP paddock. A former rider and now Ducati’s team manager, he has been with the team through its highs and lows, making his opinion on Bagnaia’s current season noteworthy. Tardozzi’s comments stem from witnessing Bagnaia’s evolution within the team—from an ambitious young rider to a calculated, powerful champion.
“Pecco is something special. What he has done with Ducati in these last seasons is on another level,” Tardozzi has been quoted as saying. “Comparing him to Stoner isn’t meant to diminish Casey’s contributions; it’s to highlight that Pecco has taken Ducati to new heights, just as Casey once did.”
Tardozzi points to Bagnaia’s incredible ability to keep calm under pressure, refine his racecraft, and extract every ounce of performance from the bike as qualities that set him apart. Additionally, Bagnaia has displayed an impressive ability to work with his team to adjust settings and strategies, showing a level of insight into bike dynamics that Stoner may not have required with his fearless, natural style.
Technical Mastery: Ducati’s 2024 Evolution
The Ducati Desmosedici has been instrumental in Bagnaia’s 2024 success. Under the team’s continued innovation, Ducati’s engineers have produced one of the fastest, most adaptable machines in MotoGP. The bike’s stability at high speeds, enhanced aerodynamics, and superior acceleration have complemented Bagnaia’s strengths, allowing him to take the Desmosedici to its full potential.
While Stoner’s Ducati era was marked by the bike’s raw power and somewhat unruly nature, Bagnaia’s Ducati has evolved into a more refined machine, one that allows precision handling without sacrificing speed. This has enabled Bagnaia to perform consistently well even on circuits where Ducati traditionally struggled. His partnership with the engineers, particularly in providing feedback for adjustments, has also brought out the best in both the rider and the machine, showcasing a teamwork-driven legacy that could define Ducati’s future.
A New Ducati Icon?
Comparing Bagnaia and Stoner raises an important question: can Bagnaia achieve a legendary status comparable to Stoner? Ducati fans revere Stoner, but Bagnaia’s consistency, strategic thinking, and the prospect of multiple titles with Ducati could make him the new face of the brand’s MotoGP legacy.
Stoner’s appeal lay in his raw, rebellious approach to racing, which paired perfectly with Ducati’s rugged, passionate brand image. Bagnaia, on the other hand, is forging a path defined by control, intelligence, and a deep sense of team unity. Tardozzi’s assertion that Bagnaia is “outshining” Stoner is, therefore, not just about race wins but about the whole package Bagnaia brings—championship-level focus, collaboration, and a driving ambition to rewrite Ducati’s place in MotoGP history.
Bagnaia’s Future and Ducati’s Dominance
Looking forward, Bagnaia’s potential seems boundless. If he continues his trajectory, he could well match or even surpass Stoner’s impact at Ducati. His sustained performance and the maturity with which he approaches racing have placed him on the path to becoming one of the greatest riders in MotoGP history. Ducati, too, benefits from this as Bagnaia’s success shines a light on the brand’s engineering achievements, bringing fans and sponsors alike to the Italian manufacturer.
As Tardozzi stated, “Pecco is becoming a symbol for Ducati’s future—a rider who can adapt, dominate, and lead.” Should Bagnaia continue this dominance, he could not only outshine Stoner but also set new standards in MotoGP. The world will watch as Bagnaia and Ducati chase this ambitious goal, rewriting the record books and ensuring Ducati remains synonymous with excellence and triumph in MotoGP.
