Let's talk MotoGP: Ducati has just lost the greatest rider in its history

Second announcement, second article! Yesterday, Ducati announced the departure of its two-time world champion Pecco Bagnaia, who will join Aprilia in MotoGP Starting next year. That was expected, of course, but it raises some rather interesting questions.

 

A decisive end to the season for the relationship between Bagnaia and Ducati

 

The two parties have a somewhat strange relationship. Pecco Bagnaia joined Pramac Racing in 2019 and was signed as a factory rider in 2021, succeeding Andrea Dovizioso as the team's star rider. Since then, He was instrumental in the success of the Borgo Panigale firm., certainly, with those two world titles in 2022 and then 2023… but has also experienced less happy times.

 

 

In 2021, his numerous mistakes prevented him from competing with Fabio Quartararo, then, in 2024, the same thing happened, this time against the privateer Ducati Jorge Martin who was nevertheless well within his reach. This was followed by a cataclysmic 2025 season alongside Marc Marquez, which quickly became the darling of the decision-makers at Ducati.

This is something I noticed right from the start of the 2025 season, and it undoubtedly played a significant role in our mutual decision. As soon as Marquez started winning, I saw Davide Tardozzi, and to a lesser extent Gigi Dall'Igna, become completely enamored with the Spanish rider. Their body language was particularly revealing: compare their reactions after some of #93's victories last year to Bagnaia's rare wins, and you'll immediately see the difference. I have a feeling that Pecco, Ducati's first world champion since Casey Stoner and the most prolific rider for the red team, has never really been considered the first option since he started sharing the garage with Marc Marquez.

The relationship definitively broke down in 2025, the year of discord according to Bagnaia himself. Sources say that Ducati tried everything to get Pecco back to his best form. because I maintain that the problem was primarily technical —But others claim that some rather incomprehensible decisions were made regarding him. Moreover, in interviews, Bagnaia often mentioned that he sometimes felt misunderstood in his returns. I think that after the disastrous end of the 2025 season for Bagnaia, the decision was made on both sides.

So, how will the story end? The conclusion of this 2026 season could change everything. If Bagnaia leaves without shining again, then, whatever anyone says, he'll be remembered as a relatively forgettable Ducati rider. He won two titles, granted, but he had the equipment to win at least three, if not four. Two consecutive years at the bottom of the table would vindicate his critics, and Ducati. On the other hand, if he continues on his current trajectory and sometimes even outperforms Marc Marquez, we might think that Ducati has made a mistakeWell, they've inherited Pedro Acosta, a star rider who, in theory, shouldn't disappoint. But still, he was an important rider in the team's history… and perhaps most importantly.

 

 

The greatest Ducati rider

 

Furthermore, where does Pecco Bagnaia stand in the hierarchy at Ducati? For me, it's clear: right at the topLet's be clear: I'm talking about greatness, not talent. He may not be the best rider to have come through here, because Stoner, Lorenzo, and Marc Marquez are above him in that respect. But if we're talking about achievements, then it's much clearer. While awaiting further titles from Marquez, Bagnaia remains number 1Ducati's dominance was built on him; in my opinion, he will remain the face of that era when we look back on it in ten years. Stoner is certainly a contender, as he was the first champion on a Desmosedici. But there are two things to consider: firstly, Stoner also wrote a significant part of his career at Honda, namely an excellent rookie year and a historic season in 2011. Secondly, whether you like it or not, the difference in terms of the depth of achievements is simply enormous. For Ducati, Stoner is crucial. 23 wins, 20 pole, for a world championship title and second place in the standings. Bagnaia, for his part, has 31 wins, 28 pole, two championship titles and two second places in the general classification.

Yes, Bagnaia's Ducati was better than Stoner's compared to the rest of the field. But that's how motorsport history is written: you can't fault Bagnaia for having success with his bike. For example, if you were to do the same ranking for Honda, there's no doubt that Mick Doohan would be placed very high, far ahead of Wayne Gardner. But give an equally dominant NSR500 to "Crocodile" Gardner in the 1980s and the cards would be reshuffled.It's unfair in a way, yes, but that doesn't detract from the legend of Bagnaia.

Note that I'm not even mentioning Andrea Dovizioso, who, for me, is significantly below BagnaiaYes, he was the architect of the Dall'Igna project, but on the track, I'm sorry: it wasn't the same level at all. Dovizioso came close to a title, Bagnaia, with a few different results, could have had four. They have nothing in common, and I'd even go so far as to say that Dovizioso is more of a rival to Jorge Martin in Ducati's history. I have already written an article on the subject, which you can find by clicking here.

 

Conclusion

 

This expected separation between Bagnaia, who can legitimately be called the greatest Ducati rider of all time, and the Borgo Panigale firm, was logical. I will discuss this further in another article about Pecco's future at Aprilia. But I am sure that both parties can emerge stronger from this affair..

I'm curious to know what you think of the three-time world champion's decision. Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport