MotoGP: Ducati withdraws a key part from the GP23

The most attentive observers may have noticed a striking detail on Marc Marquez's Ducati Desmosedici GP23 at the last Japanese Grand Prix: a key part of the bike was simply missing! After an engine failure at the previous race in Mandalika, Ducati conducted an in-depth analysis and made a radical decision. The flywheel, an improvement added mid-season, is removed from the GP23s for the rest of the year.

This component, which debuted in the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, offered a better handling than GP23. However, it proved problematic, causing a motor surge, which resulted in the breakdown suffered by Marquez in Indonesia. To avoid further incidents, Ducati has opted for a drastic solution: returning to the original flywheel on all GP23s until the end of the season. However, this decision has a direct impact on the drivers' performance.

To Marc Marquez, the loss of this piece does not seem to have been as devastating, as he still managed to get on the podium in Motegi. However, Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Di Giannantonio, a Alex Marquez visibly felt the lack of increased maneuverability that the new steering wheel offered.

Ducati has removed the new flywheel from its GP23s

By Giannantonio is even considering bringing forward an operation planned for the winter, its level of competitiveness having considerably dropped without this key part according to motor passion.

Ducati, for its part, continues to support George Martin with specific improvements, which Bagnaia does not benefit from, thus affirming his commitment to the title fight. But the question remains: Marc Marquez Will he be able to repeat his success on the remaining circuits of Phillip Island and Valencia? Will he be able to maintain the pace without this part which provided better stability?

With two more races to go, anything is possible. But for Marc Marquez and his fellow marquee drivers, this mechanical change will undeniably add a dose of complexity and suspense to the end of the season!

The removal of the new flywheel from the Ducati GP23 is a difficult but necessary decision for Ducati. This technical modification has a direct impact on the performance of the bikes and could have consequences on the final classification of the championship. It remains to be seen how the riders Ducati impacted will adapt to this new situation and if the Italian brand will manage to regain its usual level of performance.