P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bastianini says KTM "really close" to Ducati in MotoGP this year
The upgraded Ducati GP24 dominated pre-season testing, setting record-breaking pace with Francesco Bagnaia at the Sepang and Losail circuits. Bagnaia continued his success in the opening grand prix, claiming victory, but Brad Binder’s second-place finish hints at potential competition for Ducati in the 2024 MotoGP season. Aprilia also showed promise in Qatar, with Aleix Espargaro’s strong performance disrupted by tyre issues. Enea Bastianini noted KTM’s progress, believing they have narrowed the gap to Ducati in 2024. Binder’s strong showings in qualifying and the races demonstrate KTM’s competitiveness, but he acknowledges that Ducati still holds a slight advantage.
