Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma

OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Motorsport.com, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market

Enea Bastianini or Jorge Martin? That is the question currently being mulled over by Ducati management as it looks to finalise its line-up for the 2023 MotoGP season. And on paper, the answer seems simple.

One has won three races, his latest triumph coming last weekend at the French Grand Prix, while the other has crashed in five of the first seven rounds and scored just one podium - though battled a nerve issue in his right arm during the Le Mans race.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary MotoGP reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers other motorcycle racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.