After successful outings at the Emilia-Romagna and Indonesia Grands Prix, the Ducati Lenovo Team is heading to Japan for the sixteenth round of the 2024 MotoGP season. This marks the final race in the penultimate triple-header of the season, and the team is eager to take on the legendary Motegi circuit. With 23 previous MotoGP events held at Motegi, the circuit is a familiar and iconic venue for both riders and fans.
Ducati has a strong track record at Motegi, securing seven victories and 13 podium finishes over the years. The team’s most recent triumph at this circuit came in 2023 when Jorge Martín of Pramac Racing clinched first place, with Francesco Bagnaia close behind in second. That race, however, was cut short due to rain, adding to the drama. This year, both riders are set to return to the track, hoping to build on Ducati’s legacy in Japan.
Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning World Champion, is determined to narrow the 21-point gap between him and current standings leader, Jorge Martín. After a solid third-place finish in Mandalika, Bagnaia remains focused on taking home a win in Japan. His teammate, Enea Bastianini, sits third in the championship but faced disappointment last weekend due to a crash. Bastianini is hungry for redemption and eager to secure his 50th World Championship podium, especially since it’s his first time back at Motegi since 2022.
Bagnaia expressed his excitement about the upcoming race, stating, “Japan is one of my favorite destinations, and I’m thrilled to race here again. The weather conditions will be quite different from Indonesia, and rain could be a factor, so we need to be prepared for anything. We’re focusing on improving our early race performance, which was a weak spot last week.”
Bastianini shared a similar sentiment, adding, “I’m looking forward to putting last Sunday behind me and getting back on track in Japan. I haven’t raced here in two years, but I’ve always liked Motegi. While the championship gap is growing, it’s still possible to catch up, and I’ll keep pushing until the very end.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team will begin their Japanese GP campaign with the first practice session on Friday, October 2, at 10:45 AM local time, as the championship battle intensifies in these final races.