MotoGP landed for the first time in Naples thanks to the presentation of the Octo Pramac team in the evocative location of Castello Dell’Ovo, located in the gulf of the city.

The atmosphere was the typical one of the big events. For both Paolo Campinoti, the team owner, and Ducati, it was a milestone to celebrate 13 years of partnership with a factory machine.

The Italian Manufacturer triples in fact the efforts for the 2017 season and lines a third GP17 in the Octo Pramac Team with Danilo Petrucci, while Scott Redding will count on a competitive GP16 that last year proved to be a winning machine.

“The relationship between Ducati and Pramac is special”, stated Ducati Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti. “Pramac is a factory supported squad. As we did with Iannone, also Petrucci and Redding have a contract directly with us and also in the past we used the Pramac team to make young riders grow before their debut in the factory team”.

Three bikes on the grid means also the possibility to gather the triple amount of data, as Ducati General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna explained.

Asked if Petrucci will ride exactly the same bike of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, Dall’Igna explained: “Maybe it will have even something more. During the season we will continue the development of the bike and we will use Danilo to test some new items or different solutions. This may happen before they will be used by the factory riders.

“At the same time, Petrucci will have access to the set up data of Lorenzo and Dovizioso. It’s a mutual benefit. But we have other strong points. With eight bikes on the grid we have multiple possibilities of gathering the data. In addition this year all the Ducati bikes on the grip belong to the same bike generation, they are quiet similar and this will allow us to gather more data. In total we will line up two GP15, three GP16 and three GP17.”

Ducati has done the right steps and in a few years they have become the main player with more bikes on the MotoGP grid. With all the pieces of the puzzle in place, the target is only one: bringing back to Borgo Panigale the world title. “There are no more excuses,” said Dall’Igna in occasion of the factory Team presentation in Bologna. “There are no more excuses”, repeats Danilo Petrucci who – for the first time in his life – has the chance to ride a factory machine.

“Till six years ago I was watching MotoGP on TV. Three years ago I was watching the bikes from behind because I was struggling not to finish last. Since I’m racing with Pramac Ducati I could start riding and finally this season my dream comes true,” said Petrucci.

“I finally have the chance to ride a factory machine. My references are now Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso so there are no more excuses, no alibi. I’m training hard to be ready to the first race. I prefer to work a lot in the gym, to avoid additional risks.

“I’m also working with a mental coach of the Formula Medicine Institute to improve my approach to the race weekend and the races. I still have an aggressive riding style that comes from my cross background. To ride a MotoGP machine you need to put your instinct aside, you need to be methodical. I have spent a lot of time during the winter test to study the data of the other riders. The following day I have always improved. It represents an extra motivation to grow.”

If Danilo Petrucci feels the pressure, Scott Redding can focus to improve his results riding a GP16. The winter test session have been more difficult than expected, but Redding could find a positive perspective: “It’s better to do all the hard work in the test and be ready for the start of the season. I crashed in every test and this is not normal for me.

“The GP16 is an evolution of the GP15 I rode last year. It’s a bit different and we need to keep on working on the set up to get the bike as I want. We are still learning, also with the electronics, but I’m confident. I don’t have the pressure of Danilo. I’m at improving my results. I feel good with Ducati and I like the family feeling in Pramac.”

The team presentation in Naples was a good opportunity for the rider from Quedgeley to discover the soul of this special city famous for the pizza. “I strolled around this morning and it’s a beautiful city. I was curious to taste the pizza and it was really good. Since I’m riding for an Italian team I learned to order pineapple on a pizza, here I could taste the real Pizza Napolatana.”
This is another positive side of riding for an Italian team.