FIRST LOOK: Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin present 2021 Pramac Ducatis

New Pramac Ducati riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin unveil the team's 2021 MotoGP livery at online launch; 'Last year there were many different winners and this makes me think this year will be my turn'.
FIRST LOOK: Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin present 2021 Pramac Ducatis

Pramac Ducati has officially presented its all-new MotoGP line-up of Johann Zarco and rookie Jorge Martin, alongside an unchanged livery for its factory-spec Desmosedicis.

With both Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia moving from Pramac (where they took a combined five podiums last season) to the official Ducati team, the Italian factory has promoted Zarco from Avintia and signed Moto2 star Martin to take their places.

Zarco made history for Avintia last season by taking a year-old bike to the team's first pole position and podium, while Martin won two races in Moto2 but saw his title hopes dented after missing two rounds when he contracted Covid.

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While Avintia is staying on 2019-spec bikes this year, Pramac will again have access to the latest Ducati machinery, equal to that of the Official team, although at the launch it was made clear that Zarco might get in-season updates before Martin.

Zarco has his sights set on adding to his seven MotoGP podiums this season and picking up the baton left by Miller in at least challenging for Pramac's long overdue first Ducati victory.

"This is my second season with Ducati, I have to thank them because I reached a good level in 2020," said Zarco. "It would be great if in 2021 i could be competitive and get to the podium or even win.

"Last year there were many different winners [nine] and this makes me think this year will be my turn. Last year I had to learn so many things about the bike and this year I can take advantage of it."

The Frenchman, who joined Ducati last season after splitting from the Factory KTM team and some stand-in rides for LCR Honda in 2019, added: "If we think about the past few years, this is the opportunity to be reborn. I am back now, I want to maintain this and bring something good to the team."

FIRST LOOK: Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin present 2021 Pramac Ducatis

With Martin the only MotoGP newcomer using the latest Ducati machinery this year, the young Spaniard arguably starts as favourite for Rookie of the Year over new Avintia riders Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini.

"Everything in MotoGP is new for me, it's like starting from scratch," Martin said. "I am happy to be here with Pramac and Ducati and I can't wait to start. I really want to ride the motorcycle!

"Yes, Rookie of the Year is my first goal, although they [Bastianini and Marini] are both strong riders. Mostly, I aim to accomplish good results by the end of the year."

Both Zarco and Martin are contracted directly to Ducati and will have crew chiefs and an electronic engineer supplied by the factory.

The pair will make their Pramac Ducati debuts during next month's Qatar test.

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