Malaysian Grand Prix, Ducati thrill. Bagnaia seven beauties, but the title is postponed

On the verge of a nervous breakdown, Ducati counts the days, the minutes left to conquer the MotoGP riders title. Since the time of Casey Stoner, the Werewolf Kangaroo, they have been waiting for this moment: 15 years. And since 2009, an Italian (Valentino Rossi) hasn’t celebrated the World Cup. The motorbike-rider combination of our house has been missing for half a century: Giacomo Agostini.

In Malaysia, on the anniversary of Sic’s death, everything seemed to be well prepared: but Quartararo is a warrior. Despite a broken finger, the Frenchman managed to get on the podium. And then, it still takes patience. Even if the desire becomes unbearable. Soul. There are only 2 points missing: what do you want them to be, for someone who has won 7 races this year? In 2 weeks in Valencia, even in the event of (unlikely) success by Quartararo, Pecco would be enough to finish 14th. Do the math: at the start of each GP there are 24 drivers, every Sunday 3-4 of them retire. The other 7 Borgo Panigale motorbikes are available. In short, forgive the provocation: Bagnaia will only have to worry about reaching the finish line.

So why so much tension in the red box? Bastianini took it upon himself to calm the spirits: “I play the team game: I win the last race, I feel it. And Pecco becomes champion”. Aeneas is sincere, but yesterday how much did his leaders despair of him! In reality she is just guilty – so to speak – of being a talent on the Ducati. Like Bagnaia. And he too, who will be his partner in the official team next year, wants to win. All time. But here we don’t play cards: we risk falling at the very least. The boys gave life to an exciting challenge, overtaking by millimeters at 330 km / h, while the Frenchman from Yamaha watched them from afar hoping to take advantage of it. It went well: they remained in the saddle and the increasingly leader of the championship won (+23 on Quartararo), with the other on the wheel. But from the garage it was all about putting your hands in your hair, confabulating, reaching the pit lane wall, displaying signs to “remember” the Beast that Pecco must bring back – now! – the World Cup in Bologna, Italy. “He’s an opponent and rightly put me under pressure. If he didn’t, we risked being caught”, was Bagnaia’s sporty reaction.

“On the last lap I had a special eye because I know how important this title is for Ducati: if Quartararo had been in his place, I would have behaved differently”, Enea almost apologized in front of the glares of the Emilian company managers. Who say they have given “advice”, not orders: “When first place is at stake, leave Pecco alone”. But the drivers are Alfa males, and the motomondo is not the F1 that via radio commands to step aside. Bagnaia and the Beast have been dueling all year round. If he hadn’t attacked him at Le Mans, he would not have fallen. If there hadn’t been the last overtaking in Aragon, with those 5 points more he would have already made it (but then, also: if Miller in Australia had let him pass in the final lap).

If, if … Maybe it would have been better to be clearer with them. Otherwise there is an indirect risk of weakening the great adventure of the Piedmontese in 2022 – yesterday at the start he overtook 7 riders! -, then placing the responsibility on the shoulders of these two Italian jewels, who have known and esteemed each other since they were children, and will soon form a Dream Team. We should think about it, in view of the next season. Now it is worthwhile to count the days, the minutes. Only two points are missing. And then, Bastianini in Valencia will help Pecco in his own way: he promised it.