How a Rossi MotoGP protege can do what he couldn't at Ducati
OPINION: Ducati has now confirmed its works line-up for the 2021 MotoGP season, with Francesco Bagnaia handed a step up to the factory team. With his progress in 2020, Bagnaia has shown he is capable of doing what his great mentor couldn't...
Ducati's long-awaited announcement of its full works line-up for the 2021 season finally arrived on Wednesday morning after the Italian marque delayed it from last weekend to "leave the stage clear" for Yamaha, Petronas SRT and Valentino Rossi to make public their 2021 MotoGP plans.
But it came as no surprise that Ducati had selected Francesco Bagnaia to step up to its works squad next year alongside current Pramac team-mate Jack Miller, taking the place of the outgoing Andrea Dovizioso.
Share Or Save This Story
Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.
While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.
More from Lewis Duncan
Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide
Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches
Marquez now 'looking for final three tenths' on Ducati MotoGP bike
Isle of Man TT organisers introduce important competitor safety initiative
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marquez outpaces Martin in FP2
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Martin edges Marquez in first practice
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Latest news
The key MotoGP change that has gone under the radar in 2024
What the data tells us about Mercedes’ latest F1 problems
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Alpine: "Shock" of having slowest F1 car triggered tech revamp
Autosport Plus
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.