Ducati left the Red Bull Ring without a victory for the first time since the Austrian circuit returned to MotoGP in 2016. Aprilia won the Sprint and KTM took the Grand Prix, while Ducati struggled with the stiffer-construction rear tyre. The result ended a run that had made the Red Bull Ring one of the manufacturer’s most dependable venues.

Motegi still looks favorable to Ducati on paper: Desmosedicis have won the last seven races at the Japanese circuit, including Sprints. Fabio Di Giannantonio is not treating that record as a guarantee, however. In his view, Austria showed that a circuit traditionally associated with one manufacturer can quickly become unpredictable. He believes Ducati will need to be competitive in every area and execute an exceptionally strong weekend if it is to extend that advantage in Japan.

Motegi’s new asphalt adds another variable, and the threat of rain could reshape the balance from one session to the next. Di Giannantonio is eager to get started, although the conditions—particularly at the beginning—are expected to be an unknown for everyone. He enters the overseas section of the championship fifth in the standings and is still looking for his first podium since the summer break.