Bagnaia - 'Waiting' for factory Ducati debut 'for a long time'

Like his team-mate Jack Miller, This Sunday will see Francesco Bagnaia make his competitive debut for the factory Ducati Lenovo team as the 2021 MotoGP season begins in Qatar.
Francesco Bagnaia Qatar MotoGP test, 11 March 2021
Francesco Bagnaia Qatar MotoGP test, 11 March 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Francesco Bagnaia is set for his competitive debut with the factory Ducati team, as the 2021 MotoGP campaign gets underway this Sunday with the first of two races at the Losail International Circuit. 

Following two seperate tests in Qatar earlier this month, Bagnaia and Jack Miller will be looking to get their season off to a flyer, at a venue where the Italian manufacturer has taken the last two wins. 

The 2020 Qatar Grand Prix was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, therefore the last race staged in Losail, was Andrea Dovizioso's thrilling last lap win against Marc Marquez in 2019.

Bagania replaces Danilo Petrucci for the 2021 season and has so far impressed during testing as he finished the last full day fourth. Following two seasons with the Pramac team, the 2018 Moto2 champion is excited for the new challenge in 2021. 

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"I'm really excited to finally face my first Grand Prix as an official rider of the Ducati Lenovo Team," added Bagnaia.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I can't wait to experience the adrenaline of the first lights out of season.

"After the two test sessions we've had over the last few weeks, we arrive at the first round of the year with a solid base to work from.

"It will be important to improve our time attack to guarantee a place in the first two rows of the grid in qualifying. I'm very excited, and I feel I can fight for a good result in the race."

All six of Ducati's seats have changed hands for the new season with three rookies introduced, while Johann Zarco has gone from Avintia to Pramac. 

You can see how Bagnaia and the entire MotoGP grid get on this weekend with the Grand Prix live from 20:00pm local time (GMT+3). 

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