The unexpected Rossi/Ducati MotoGP sequel offering redemption

A decade after first linking up with Ducati in what turned out to be an ill-fated period in his MotoGP career, Valentino Rossi has joined forces with the Italian marque once more - this time as a team owner. And the VR46/Ducati tie-up beginning in 2022 has the potential to right the wrongs of Rossi and Ducati's nadir of 2011/2012

Lewis Duncan Jun 24, 2021, 9:50 AM

Upd: Jul 4, 2021, 5:07 PM

Before you get your keyboards out, yes, Valentino Rossi’s VR46 MotoGP team becoming a Ducati satellite squad in 2022 isn’t an unexpected announcement as all fingers have pointed towards the tie-up for a few weeks now.

What is unexpected is the fact that Valentino Rossi and Ducati are rekindling their relationship at all after the nine-time grand prix world champion’s switch to the Italian marque in 2011 proved to be an unmitigated disaster – a dream partnership that turned into a nightmare and crumbled under the weight of mediocrity that characterised the Desmosedicis of the that period.

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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.