Marco Bezzecchi
Davide Tardozzi has included two of Ducati’s rivals alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia when building his ideal MotoGP rider.
During his career, Tardozzi competed in the Superbike World Championship between 1988 and 1992, winning seven races.
Since retiring, the Italian became a team manager at Ducati, winning a number of World Superbike titles with the likes of Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser and James Toseland.
In recent years, Tardozzi has been at the helm of Ducati’s MotoGP team, winning the world title with Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and, most recently, Marquez.
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Davide Tardozzi includes Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi when building his ideal MotoGP rider
Speaking recently to Italian news outlet Moto.It, Tardozzi was asked to build his ideal MotoGP rider.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tardozzi included both Marquez and Bagnaia, but also picked current Aprilia riders Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
The 67-year-old picked Marquez for three categories, which were ‘Changing direction’, ‘Media management’ and ‘Most complete’.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia got Tardozzi’s vote when it came to the rider with the best braking ability.
In terms of cornering speed, Tardozzi chose Bezzecchi, who has endured a tough time in recent weeks.
When asked to name the rider with the best single lap pace, the Ducati chief selected Martin, who won the 2024 MotoGP world title with the Prima Pramac Racing Team, beating Bagnaia by 10 points.
Davide Tardozzi’s ideal MotoGP rider:
Best braking – Francesco Bagnaia
Cornering speed – Marco Bezzecchi
Changing direction – Marc Marquez
Single-lap pace – Jorge Martin
Media management – Marc Marquez
Most complete – Marc Marquez
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Ahead of the 2027 MotoGP season, there will be a change in Ducati’s rider line-up, with Bagnaia leaving to sign for Aprilia and Pedro Acosta joining from KTM.
Speaking about his rapport with Acosta, Tardozzi was quick to confirm that the pair have an ‘excellent’ relationship which started with the Rookies Cup.
The Italian went on to say that Acosta has ‘incredible talent’ and has no ‘arrogance’.
Tardozzi said: “I’ve always had an excellent relationship with Pedro, ever since the Rookies Cup, a series I follow closely and one that is, I must say, an incredible formula; it has produced the latest champions across all categories, and KTM deserves great credit for how they manage it.
“In my view, Pedro is a young man who is aware of his own abilities and possesses incredible talent; he is maturing.
“I’ve seen his thinking evolve and his understanding of right and wrong deepen, all without any arrogance. We are very happy to have him joining us.”
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