Doubt thrown on Pecco Bagnaia’s hope to enter Suzuka 8 Hours

“What’s left f𝓀or Ducati to achieve? What haven’t they won?"

Pecco Bagnaia
Pecco Bagnaia

Pecco Bagnaia has been t🏅old to prioritise the MotoGP title fight rather than entering the Suzuka 8 Hours.

This year’s edition of the famous Japanese endurance race was won by Honda, featuring MotoGওP rider Johann Zarco.

But Ducati were notable for supporting a&💮nbsp;Kagayama teಌam, who rode Panigale V4s, overseen by Paolo Ciabatti.

“Prepare everything well, I’m coming later,” Bagnaia teased amid rumours that Ducati will enter a facto🔜ry team to next year’s Suzuka 8 Hours.

Valen🌞tino Rossi is among the MotoGP legends who has entered - and won - the Suzuka 8 Hours making it appealing for Bagnaia to emulate.

But Neil Hodgson told TNT ꦡSports: “I’d be very surprised if he did.

“Because ♋the priority for a MotoGP rider is to win the MotoGP championship.

“Pecco will be up against Marc next season. It’s a gruelling se𝓡ason with 22 rounds.

“I’d be very, very surprised.”

Sylva⛎in Guintoli replied: “I think he’ll go if there’s no clashes in the dates.”

Hodgson said: “Mick Doohan did🤪 the 8 Hours at the peak of his career.”

Guintoli, an experienced entrant to the Suzuka 8 Hours, said about the project🥂 that ꧒Ducati assisted this year: “They showed that the team was strong.

“The bike🌜 was fast in straight lines. Maybe too fast because it made the fuel consumption high. Their pit stop strategy was a little off.

“But they had the speed𓆏, and fast riders, and were able to do great lap time. T✤he package is competitive.

“If the Ducati factory ✅saꦛw this, they’ll want to use them for the project in Suzuka.

“If somebody can help the💦m with fuel consumption and the pit ♍stop, then Ducati can.

“A major part of the work done by engineers🔯 is to save fuel, which at Suzuka is very important.”

Completing the race in Jaꦇpan would be 🥂another feather in the cap of the Italian manufacturer who are dominating MotoGP and World Superbikes.

Hodgson asked: “What’s left for Ducati💝 to achieve? What haven’t they won?

“This year they’ve gone into motocross and, already, their level is incredible. They wꦯill enter the world championship with a full factory team next year.

“Theꦡ Suzuka 8 Hou꧋rs is an enigma. Bear in mind, who owns the Suzuka track? Honda. And Honda dominate there.

“Do you think Ducati would like to go and pinch 𝔉itꦏ from them? Of course!

“If anyone would be motivated, it 🦩would be Pecco. But I just can’t see it…”

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