About Mario Bordonaba / Motosan.es
Livio Suppo, Racing Consultant is an iconic figure in the world of motorcycling, known for his influence and leadership within teams such as Ducati and Honda. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in the conquest of several world championships, alongside riders and legends such as Marc Marquez et Casey Stoner. Currently, the Italian holds the position of consultant for the Italtrans Moto2 team, which allows him to remain an influential figure in the world of motorcycling, although he continues to be closely involved in the action of the premier class. In his exclusive interview with Motosan.es, he reviewed all the latest MotoGP news and touched on topics such as the fight between Jorge Martín et Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner, the Honda project and the Japanese, as well as Aprilia and the delicate situation of KTM.
What do you remember from everything that happened in this MotoGP championship?
Livio Suppo: “Last year many people thought it was impossible to win the championship if you were not in the factory team, but Jorge and Pramac proved that this was not the case and Ducati also confirmed it. I think Ducati would have been happy if Pecco had won again, but the fact that Martin won shows that Ducati treated them fairly. And I think it is very positive for the image of Ducati. We know that this sport, motorcycling, is an area where the rider always makes the biggest difference. And when the package is the same, as it was this season between Jorge and Pecco, they clearly made the difference compared to the others, Enea and Morbidelli. Furthermore, Jorge was able to make fewer mistakes and win the championship. Because, in the end, Jorge won the championship because he was fast and consistent, while Bagnaia made too many mistakes.”
How would you define Jorge Martín as a driver? What do you like most about him?
“I’ve never worked with him, but I like him a lot. And, to be honest, I think that if I had been at Ducati, I would have chosen him already in 2022 for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, because, for some reason, I already thought at that time that he had more potential than Enea. The good thing about Jorge is that he has shown that he is capable of progressing during this season. He has probably lost a bit of speed this year, but he has gained consistency. I wouldn’t say that he has lost speed, but he has learned to control it better. He has made fewer mistakes, he has been able to take advantage of situations, stay calm and not risk losing too many points by wanting to win at all costs. That’s what allowed him to win the title. What I like most about him is that he remains a fast driver, but this season he has also been very consistent and intelligent.”
“Martin won the championship because he was fast and consistent, while Bagnaia made too many mistakes”
How do you think Bagnaia was after losing that title and do you think he lost leadership within Ducati?
“No, I don’t think he has lost anything. At Ducati they know perfectly well how fast he is. As we said, he has won more than 50% of the long races and also many sprint races. So it is clear to them that he is very fast. Next year, of course, he will have to face in the same garage a very charismatic and obviously very fast rider like Marc Marquez. But Pecco has been world champion twice in three years. In recent years he has been, without a doubt, the fastest rider on the track.”
What would happen if, next season, Bagnaia beat Marc Márquez on the same bike, without injury or setback for either?
“It could certainly change the perception of Pecco, because many people, even in Italy, do not give him the credit he deserves. Because of his character or for other reasons, in the end, some think that Pecco is a strong rider, but not a ‘super champion’. If he manages to beat Marquez on equal terms, he will finally prove that he is a real champion. And even if that does not happen, I am sure that next year’s championship will be a story between the two. It will be a battle between two very fast riders. Age will also play a role, since Marc will be 31 or 32 next season. And even if we do not want to admit it, age is not just a number. Marc has shown this season that he still has speed. But I think that the Marquez of five or six years ago would have been more competitive, even on a one-year-old bike.”
If Bagnaia beats Marquez next year, will he be a true MotoGP legend?
“Ultimately, people will always think what they want. There will be those who say: ‘Yes, he won, but because Marc is getting old’. If you already like Pecco, you will continue to like him. And if you think Bagnaia is just a lucky rider, who is always in the right place at the right time, you will continue to think the same thing. I think Pecco has nothing to prove to anyone. However, the season will be interesting between the two of them. My biggest worry is that the championship is becoming more and more about Ducati and nothing else. Especially with the situation of KTM and Honda, who have not been able to seize their chance in this transition. It is a strange situation because, although it is good to see Ducati so dominant, it would be better for the fans to see more competition between the manufacturers.
“If Bagnaia manages to beat Marquez on equal terms, he will finally prove that he is a true champion”
You shared many years with Marc Marquez at Honda, how would you describe your collaboration with him?
“Marc is probably the easiest rider I have ever worked with and who has made life easier for everyone in the team, because his character is very, very good. He is always positive, he is always smiling, even after a crash or an injury, he always thinks positively. And, of course, he is very fast. In the end, the most important thing for a team is that the rider is fast and has everything it takes to be loved by the team. This is Marc’s main characteristic: in addition to being extremely fast, he is someone who knows how to create a group and lead it in a positive way. This is his greatest strength.”
To be continued tomorrow…