Ducati Ends 15yr MotoGP Drought

Francesco Bagnaia – 2022 MotoGP World Champion

Francesco Bagnaia 2022 MotoGP World Champion

Francesco Bagnaia is the 2022 MotoGP World Champion. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider has secured his first MotoGP World Title after making a historic comeback in the Championship, which has never been achieved before by any other rider in the premier class.

After finding himself sixth in the standings at the end of the German GP, Pecco managed to close a gap of 91 points on Fabio Quartararo over eight Grands Prix and took the lead in the Championship with 14 points over the Frenchman at Phillip Island, with two races to go.

Aged 25 years and 296 days old, Bagnaia is the oldest rider to clinch his maiden MotoGP world title since the introduction of the class in 2002. Nicky Hayden in 2006 is next: 25 years and 91 days old.


After increasing his lead to 23 thanks to a stunning victory at Sepang in Malaysia, Bagnaia needed only a ninth place at the Valencia finale to secure Ducati’s second Riders’ World Title in the premier class, 15 years after Casey Stoner’s first title in 2007.

For the 25-year-old from Turin and the Bologna-based manufacturer, this is a historic achievement: with seven wins, ten podiums and five pole positions this year, Bagnaia becomes the first Italian rider to win the modern MotoGP World Championship on an Italian bike, the Ducati Desmosedici GP. The last person to do so in the top class was Giacomo Agostini 50 years ago, in 1972, when he won the title in the 500cc category with the MV Agusta.

Triple Crown for Ducati: the Bologna-based manufacturer wins the Constructors’ Title, the Teams’ Title for the Ducati Lenovo Team and the Riders’ Title in MotoGP Champions of the world!

Francesco Bagnaia – 2022 MotoGP World Champ
“We have to be really happy and proud of the incredible work we did. After Germany, we found ourselves 91 points off the top, but we found the right motivation to come back and win the title in Valencia. Together we showed that we are really strong and can handle even complicated situations.

“Today’s race was also really difficult because after the contact with Fabio, I lost a wing of my bike, and from there on, I struggled a lot, but I am really proud and happy with the result.

For Ducati, this is the second Riders’ World Title, after the one won by Casey Stoner in 2007.

“I also want to congratulate Fabio, who has been an incredible opponent throughout the season. To win coming in front of a rider you respect, as I respect Fabio, gives even more value to this title.”

Ducati will celebrate the Triple Crown together with Ducatisti and the entire city of Bologna on December 15

Claudio Domenicali – CEO of Ducati Motor Holding
“This is a fantastic day for all of Ducati! Ducati Corse has worked steadfastly and resolutely to achieve this second MotoGP Riders’ Title that makes our hearts burst with joy today. Racing is so tied to the passion of Ducatisti, and my path in Ducati is also so tied to racing that I am really extremely happy today.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Pecco, who had an incredible season in which he had the great merit of always believing, even when the comeback seemed impossible.

“Thanks to the “three musketeers” Gigi, Paolo, Davide and all the women and men of Ducati Corse and Ducati Lenovo Team, who worked on this incredible bike and also to the employees who work in Borgo Panigale and make emotions like these possible.

“The World Title is for them and for all Ducatisti. It has been a long chase, but today the team is as strong as it has ever been, and this result is extremely important to take the pressure off and be more focused than ever to do well in the future. I really believe it can be the opening of a very positive path for Ducati.”

Luigi Dall’Igna – General Manager of Ducati Corse
“This World Championship is an immense satisfaction for the entire Ducati Lenovo Team and for me. It is a title that this team and our brand deserve, which comes from the commitment and expertise of really good people and technicians, added to the incredible talent and maturity of Pecco. Today’s day repays us for all the work we have done. Now that we have reached the top of the world, the next step is to stay there“.


For Ducati, it is now time to celebrate the Triple Crown together with Ducatisti and the entire city of Bologna. The appointment, already set in the calendar, is for next December 15 when all the protagonists will celebrate this fantastic result together.

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