Francesco Bagnaia pinpoints the key area of improvement for the ‘24 Ducati

Francesco Bagnaia rode last year’s Ducati, and this year’s version, on Tuesday in Sepang.

The MotoGP champion will race with the updated spec of the Desmosedici when his title defence gets underway.

The transition onto a new bike continued on the first day of the Sepang test where Bagnaia did some laps with each of his bikes.

“Today we were focusing a lot on two specs, ‘23 and ‘24,” he said.

“I’m happy that, finally in the last exit, I decided to continue with the ‘24.

“I think that I have good potential, more on the braking. We are adjusting the power delivery.

“I tried the long forks, like other Ducati riders used last year, and the feeling was good. But the feeling is not the same as the short ones, so we still have something to improve.

“Considering the day, the amount of laps I did, I’m quite happy.

“The aero we will try tomorrow, the new fairing. It’s something important, it will take a lot of time.

“Today was about understanding the two bikes. Tomorrow is important for the aero.”

Bagnaia explained how the latest-spec Ducati is better even that the dominant machine he rode last season.

“The way they put the engine is different, the weight is different,” he said.

“What I prefer is the braking. It’s something I understood in Valencia.

“The acceleration and power delivery is different. It’s more nervous.

“We are taking care, we made a step in front. The best time today was with used tyres.

“Right now, I like it more for the braking. It asks me to brake more.

“The top speed is very similar. During the day we improved a lot. The wind increased so it was difficult to understand if we improved acceleration.”

Bagnaia was 16th-fastest on Tuesday, the opening day in Sepang. He trailed pace-setter Jorge Martin by +0.862s.

Pramac's Martin, who Bagnaia edged to win the 2023 championship, will join him in riding a GP24 this season.

Gresini and VR46 riders - Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio di Giannantonio - will ride the GP23, the bike that Bagnaia and Martin battled with last year.