The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes

OPINION: For the fourth time in 2022, Francesco Bagnaia has made a costly error while battling other riders. Crashing while chasing one point at the Japanese Grand Prix has lost him eight to a struggling Fabio Quartararo. With just four rounds remaining and a history of errors in high-pressure situations, Bagnaia and Ducati need a serious rethink to stop its best opportunity of a title in 15 years slipping away

Lewis Duncan Sep 26, 2022, 2:42 PM

Upd: Sep 26, 2022, 3:45 PM

Last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi marked MotoGP’s first visit to the Land of the Rising Sun since 2019. It also coincided with the 15th anniversary of Ducati’s sole MotoGP title win, when Casey Stoner sealed his first championship victory at the same track in 2007.

While Jack Miller dominated proceedings at Motegi for his fourth – and arguably best – win in the premier class, celebrations at Ducati were muted. As the Australian eased across the finishing line, his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia was trudging through the gravel trap at Turn 3 having crashed out for a fifth time in 2022.

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Author Lewis Duncan

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.