Listen to this article
Reigning riders’ and constructors’ champion Ducati has become the reference in MotoGP in terms of bike design, with the Desmosedici’s stopping power and its engine grunt something rival marques have been trying to copy.
Espargaro was sixth-fastest overall in last weekend’s Sepang pre-season test, which was topped by Ducati riders across all three days, and he believes Ducati is still superior in those two areas.
“Two things: they still have the best engine,” said Espargaro, whose Aprilia team-mate Maverick Vinales was third overall at the test, when asked about Ducati.
“They are not super far [away] anymore, but they still have the best engine. And they are super good at stopping the bike. It’s crazy how good they are at stopping the bike.
“The feeling I have with the Aprilia is that I stop the bike just with the front tyre, and when [Ducat …