Francesco Bagnaia predicts the Algarve Grand Prix “will be a nice one to watch” as he reckons a four-rider battle is likely to ensue for Portuguese supremacy.
Bagnaia had traded fastest session times with newly-crowned MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo throughout practice at the Algarve International Circuit before posting a pair of all-time two-wheeled lap records of the venue to grab his fifth-straight pole ahead of Ducati team-mate Jack Miller.
The two-time premier class race victor thinks his job to score a third win of his maiden campaign as a factory Ducati rider will be far from easy due to the race performance shown by Miller and Quartararo-who will start seventh-as well as that of outgoing world champion Joan Mir’s Suzuki, who will fire off from third on the grid.
The Italian remained confident of his chances to come out on top though after “enjoying every lap” of the Algarve track so far this weekend, adding that he feels his late 2021 form is “crucial” towards his chances of trying to score a maiden title next season.
“I tried to be on top and this weekend we are very competitive in terms of pace, we are one of the strongest along with Joan (Mir), Fabio (Quartararo) and Jack (Miller) so I think tomorrow’s race will be a nice one to watch,” explained Bagnaia.
“I think in this last part of the season I know how to do it (qualify up front) and it’s also crucial for next year, I’m happy about that because starting from the front row is always important and we have been going well since Assen.
“I would always like to have the same feeling with the bike because all weekend I have enjoyed every lap, and this is crucial for our overall weekend.
“I think the out-lap (is better), I think my concentration is better in terms of doing everything perfectly and a little bit of craziness but already last year I was sometimes very competitive in the time attacks but this year we are consistently better (in qualifying.)”
Bagnaia also has the opportunity to lock up the vice-champion position in Portugal, with him needing to not drop more than two points to third-placed Mir as he currently holds a 27-marker advantage over the Spaniard with only 50 left on the table.
A strong result between him and Miller will also be crucial in Ducati’s hopes of at least securing the teams and manufacturers titles, the Bolgona-based marque having lost the leadership of the teams championship to Yamaha following its double-DNF at Misano a fortnight ago, the Japanese organisation now 13 points up the road.
Ducati holds a 12 point advantage over Yamaha in the manufacturers having extended its lead last time out courtesy of Avintia satellite rider Enea Bastianini’s run to third ahead of Quartararo in the Emilia Romagana GP.
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