The Ducati Lenovo Team returns to the track this weekend to tackle the eleventh round of the 2023 MotoGP season, the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya.
The Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, which has been on the calendar since 1992, is a special destination for Ducati, which scored its first MotoGP victory with Loris Capirossi and the Desmosedici GP3 here in 2003, exactly 20 years ago.
Fresh off the back of a perfect weekend in Austria, which saw him take pole and victory in both the Sprint and Sunday’s GP, Francesco Bagnaia arrives in Spain confident to be able to keep up with the momentum. The rider from Chivasso currently leads the overall standings with 62 points over Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing Team) and 68 over Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team).
Teammate Enea Bastianini will approach the weekend differently. The rider from Rimini, who was forced to sit out several GPs in the first part of the season due to an injury, is still looking to find the right feeling with his Desmosedici GP23 and will make the most of the upcoming weekend to confirm the improvements already seen during the Austrian GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (251 points)
“I am happy to be back racing at Montmeló. Last year, we could have had a good race, but I was involved in a crash in the first corner and then forced to retire. After the perfect weekend in Austria, we have all the conditions to do well here as well: the feeling with the bike is great, and my team is working well; they always give me what I ask for and put me in a position to be competitive. Let’s see how the weather will be, but in any case, we are ready to face the weekend in any condition.”
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 18th (24 points)
“I arrive at Montmeló without too many expectations. Now, the priority is to be able to fix the bike to be competitive again. The last weekend at the Red Bull Ring allowed us to gather more information that we will definitely use to get back on track on Friday. I still need time, but I know the potential is there. I am calm and ready to face the weekend in Barcelona.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will take to the track for the first free practice on Friday at 10:45am local time, while on Saturday at 3pm, the sprint will get underway on a 12-lap distance. The Monster Energy GP of Catalunya will be held on a 24-lap distance on Sunday, 3rd September, at 2pm CEST.
Circuit Information
Country: Spain
Name: Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya
Best lap: Zarco (Ducati), 1:39.939 (167,7 km/h) – 2021
Circuit Record: A. Espargaro (Aprilia), 1:38.742 (169,7 km/h) – 2022
Top Speed: Miller (Ducati), 355,2 km/h – 2021
Track Length: 4,66 km
Sprint Distance: 12 laps (55,2 km)
Race Distance: 24 laps (111,1 km)
Corners: 14 (6 left, 8 right)
- From Ducati Media House
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