Zarco, Rabat on hand to launch Avintia Ducati 2020 MotoGP season

Johann Zarco and Tito Rabat have helped Avintia Ducati launch its 2020 MotoGP campaign following the Sepang pre-season test.

In a presentation celebrating the team’s 20th anniversary, the launch has taken place at Andorra’s Hard Rock Café with Zarco and Rabat unveiling the squad’s 2020 colours.

Johann Zarco, Tito Rabat, Avintia Ducati,
Johann Zarco, Tito Rabat, Avintia Ducati,
© Avintia Ducati

Johann Zarco and Tito Rabat have helped Avintia Ducati launch its 2020 MotoGP campaign following the Sepang pre-season test.

In a presentation celebrating the team’s 20th anniversary, the launch has taken place at Andorra’s Hard Rock Café with Zarco and Rabat unveiling the squad’s 2020 colours.

After splitting from Red Bull KTM only a few months into a two-year deal, Zarco became an 11th-hour addition to the team at the expense of Karel Abraham who was sacked as Ducati opted to bring in the two-time Moto2 world champion for the upcoming season.

Both Zarco and Rabat will contest the 2020 MotoGP season on Ducati GP19 bikes with added factory technical support.

The team has just come back from the three-day pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit where Zarco made his Ducati debut.

The French rider posted a best lap time which was 17th fastest on the combined times just 0.602s off pace-setter Fabio Quartararo on the Petronas Yamaha SRT but encouragingly within one-tenth of both factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso and factory Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales. Rabat ended the Sepang test 20th on the combined times and almost six-tenths of a second slower than Zarco.

The team will return to action at the final pre-season test in Qatar on February 22-24, before the Losail International Circuit hosts the 2020 MotoGP opener on March 8.

Zarco’s new Ducati contract expires at the end of the 2020 season, while Rabat has a deal with Avintia Racing which lasts through until the end of the 2021 campaign.

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