MotoGP: Ducati advantage has decreased, says factory boss

Ducati’s factory team boss has said the advantage the Bologna marque held in the inaugural 800c MotoGP world championship last season has been virtually wiped out by rivals Honda and Yamaha.

Livio Suppo, boss of reigning world champion Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri’s factory squad, believes the Italian factory’s inconsistent start to 2008 is proof that the new GP8 won’t be as dominant as its 2007 predecessor, which won 11 races.

Suppo told MCN: “I think the package still remains competitive. But of course last year we surprised everybody.

“Our project leader Filippo Preziosi did an unbelievable job with the new 800 rules. And at the beginning for sure we had an advantage.

“But already last year the competition was catching up. And now everybody’s very close.

“Yamaha has done a great job and Honda, who seemed to be in trouble before the first race, are fighting for the championship.

“So the competition is very strong and Filippo and the guys are working hard to keep the bike in a good competition.”