Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning double MotoGP champion, prolongs Ducati contract.
Ahead of the Qatar MotoGP season opener this weekend, Ducati has announced that reigning double champion Francesco Bagnaia has inked a new two-year contract.
The anticipated agreement ensures that the Italian rider, who made his MotoGP debut with Pramac Ducati in 2019, will continue aboard a factory Desmosedici bike until at least the conclusion of 2026.
Bagnaia is currently aiming to join the ranks of Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez as a three-time consecutive MotoGP champion in the four-stroke era.
“I am thrilled to keep racing with the team of my dreams!” expressed Bagnaia. “Donning these colors is a privilege for me. It’s amazing and fills me with pride.
“Together with Ducati, my team, and all the individuals at Ducati Corse, we have achieved remarkable feats. In these upcoming three years (including 2024), we will strive to continue our best efforts to attain as much success as possible.
“I am elated and eager to hit the track in Qatar for the first race of the year.”
Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna commented, “We are immensely pleased to have Bagnaia continue with us for 2025 and 2026.”
“Together, we’ve penned a significant chapter in motorcycling history: Pecco became the first Italian rider to clinch a World Title in MotoGP aboard an Italian bike, our Desmosedici GP. We reclaimed a Riders’ World Title that had been absent for 15 years, and we repeated the feat last season.
“He’s now a two-time World Champion and has shown time and again that he rightfully deserves the number 1 on his bike’s fairing. Beyond these achievements, Bagnaia consistently proves he’s in seamless sync with his bike and team.”
“For all these reasons, it was only natural for us to want to continue with him. We eagerly anticipate this new chapter together, confident that we can achieve further significant results.”
Bagnaia becomes the first Ducati rider to be formally signed for 2025, although rumors hint at a potential deal to place Moto2 standout Fermin Aldeguer at Pramac next season.
Presently, Enea Bastianini partners with Bagnaia in the Ducati Lenovo team. However, he faces pressure entering the new season to retain his coveted spot against contenders such as Pramac’s reigning title runner-up Jorge Martin, the accomplished VR46 race winner Marco Bezzecchi, and potentially the new Gresini rider Marc Marquez.
Joining Bagnaia, the other MotoGP riders with confirmed slots on the 2025 grid include Brad Binder (KTM), Luca Marini (Honda), and Johann Zarco (Honda).
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