Tardozzi against social media: “How can you say that Bagnaia is not a champion?” – Motorcycle

In recent years, MotoGP and Ducati fans have learned to know the character of their team manager Davide Tardozzi. The 63-year-old from Ravenna has been in the team since 2014 and has a long experience as a rider behind him (he was the winner of the first race in the history of Superbike, at Donington in 1988), which certainly makes him live the race weekends with more apprehension than to the other managers of Borgo Panigale. The Italian in fact he often exposed himself in front of the cameras to defend his company and their riders, trying to protect Ducati’s interest in the best possible way. And so he did also in the recent race in Sepang, when on Saturday he stigmatized Marc Marquez’s search for the wake and on Sunday he thundered against those who spoke of team orders in Bagnaia’s success.
Tardozzi did not shy away from the reporters’ questions, and pointed out: “Bagnaia he proved to be a champion with the start he made. This season he has won 7 races and 4 of the last 6 already in 2021 and when he crashed he was always in front, but on social networks and some media it continues to be belittled. How do you say he’s not a champion? Here in Sepang he proved to be strong with his head and showed great determination. I want this guy’s potential to be recognized. Many have his bike, but the one in front is him. What else must he do to have his value recognized? ”. The manager from Romagna then added, with regard to team orders: “We only ask our drivers to be a little careful, without venturing into risky overtaking. Even though it’s been a long time, at Ducati we remember well what happened in Argentina in 2016 (the clash between Iannone and Dovizioso at the last corner, ed). During the race Pecco and Enea overtook each other without problems and this confirms the absence of team orders ”.
Tardozzi also explained, in the statements collected by the Spaniards of Aswhy Dall’Igna left the garage to go to the wall during the race: “Gigi was worried, he asked us if it was necessary to intervene in some way. But we decided not to, because we have faith in our riders. We could have put P2 on Bastianini’s table, but we didn’t“.