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Why Ducati's latest divorce was inevitable

Confirming this week that he will be leaving Ducati at the end of 2020, Danilo Petrucci's exit had been on the cards since last year's Valencia MotoGP finale. Circumstances and a dip in form have worked against him, but Petrucci is a rider who still deserves his place

Though it is yet to be made official, Ducati and Danilo Petrucci will part ways at the end of the 2020 season. He's been ousted by the graduating Jack Miller from Pramac and left with no room at the inn as Andrea Dovizioso, despite his qualms over money, looks likely to remain in the other works Ducati garage for 2021.

The harsh truth is that this had been coming since the back-end of last year. Following a strong opening half to the 2019 season - Petrucci's first as a full factory rider - which included his debut win after 124 starts, his form trailed off miserably, with the 29-year-old failing to secure a top six finish on the run from Brno to the season-ender in Valencia. Finding a way out of that spiral proved tricky for Ducati, as Petrucci's weight - being the tallest rider on the grid - played a major factor.

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