At the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana, the last Grand Prix of the MotoGP season in 2021, which took place this afternoon at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste (Spain), Ducati secured a podium, as did Pecco Bagnaia, who won second Place of Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing Team) and third place of Jack Miller, three were the Desmosedici GP bikes that rolled into the Parc Fermé in today’s race. For the manufacturer Borgo Panigale, who was named MotoGP constructors’ world champion 2021 in Portimão just seven days ago, this is another historic achievement that has never been achieved in the premier class.
Pecco Bagnaia took another sensational win today, the fourth this season and the second in a row after winning last week in Portugal. Since he had started from second on the grid, the Italian was able to hold the same position after Jorge Martin, who had started from pole position. With 12 laps to go, Bagnaia made his decisive step on the Ducati colleague and took the lead, where he stayed until the checkered flag.
Behind Jorge Martin was Bagnaia’s team-mate Jack Miller in third place. As he pulled away from third on the grid, the Australian dropped to sixth at the start of the race, but once he found his rhythm he was able to close the gap with his rivals and get back on the podium. In third place, Miller came closer and closer to Martin with nine laps to go, but was unable to overtake him and finally finished the race in third place, which confirmed his fourth place in the championship.
With both riders on the podium, the Ducati Lenovo Team secured the MotoGP team’s 2021 world championship title. For the Italian team, this is the second title since the first in 2007.
Francesco Bagnaia (# 63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1.
“I’m happy about the win today. Winning in Valentino Rossi’s helmet was amazing and the best way to celebrate your last race. Today’s success was incredible and now we know that we are ready to fight for the drivers’ title next year. This season we’ve improved the bike’s set-up race after race, and by the end of 2021 the Desmosedici GP and its riders have become very strong. We have a very good base for next year and I hope we can start when we’re done. We have gained a lot of experience and have grown a lot! The team is amazing and the atmosphere in the garage is amazing! I am really happy and thank Ducati for all of that. “
Jack Miller (# 43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd
“I’m happy, even if I would have liked to have achieved a little more today. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of time at the start and had to recover to get back into the battle for the podium. It was a good race and I had a lot of fun. Valencia is a circuit that I really like and it’s nice to end the season like this. It’s the first time there have been three Ducatis on the podium and it’s great to be part of this important achievement. I’m sure our bike will get even better next year, so I’m looking forward to the 2022 season and trying to fight for the rider’s title. We’re fourth this year and it’s my best result in the MotoGP championship, so I hope to do even better next year. “
Luigi Dall’Igna (Managing Director of Ducati Corse)
“Today’s result is really an important milestone for us and this is a historic day for Ducati. To be on the podium with three of our motorcycles is a dream, especially since it was a race with very narrow gaps. Pecco, Jorge and Jack did an amazing job and it’s great to win the team title like that. I am really happy and thank everyone at Ducati Corse for their commitment and dedication this season. Getting this far took a tremendous effort from everyone! We will continue to work hard to bring the drivers’ title back to Borgo Panigale next season. “
After the end of the 2021 season, the drivers of the Ducati Lenovo Team only have a few days off as they prepare for the 2022 season on the 18th.