Francesco Bagnaia has revealed he knew the time was ‘right’ to leave Ducati following confirmation he will join the factory Aprilia MotoGP team on a four-year deal in 2027.
The separation between Francesco Bagnaia And Ducati It marks a split between the most successful rider/team pairing in recent MotoGP history. The Italian rider He ended the Bulls of Bologna title drought in 2022, followed up with another in 2023.
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However, Bagnaya has pointed out that the last 12 months are inevitable. His poor form with world champion Marc Marquez last year opened him up to scrutiny from the team’s legend. Casey Stoner was among the first to voice concerns about Bagnaia’s future By Ducati.
Ironically, it was more than a month after Stoner’s word that Bagnaya knew he needed to leave Borgo Pangale, as revealed in his comments to the media ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Francesco Bagnaia acknowledged his departure at Motegi last year as ‘time to consider’
Indeed, Ducati rider activity was a hot topic at Assen for the 2027 MotoGP season, the team’s first announcement since the grid confirmed it had agreed a new commercial deal.
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In his words to reporters, Bagnaya revealed that after the weekend of last year’s most successful race, something began to change: the Japanese Grand Prix.
After months of struggles, the Italian secured his only perfect weekend of the season, with Bagnaia taking pole position, a sprint win and a Grand Prix victory at the same round as Marquez claimed his seventh world title in the premier class.
“Last year was not an easy season, and after Japan something started to change,” he began Sports world. “At that point, maybe it was time to consider other options.
“I opened my mind, I got support ApriliaAnd it was the right time to make a change. I had many options, but I believe in a long-term contract.”
The 29-year-old was believed to have returned to his prototype iteration to score 37 points. A decision understood to have ‘hurt’ Ducati boss Luigi D’Alignano.
Francesco Bagnaia already knows that working with Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia will give them an ‘advantage’.
Looking ahead, Bagnaya is relishing the opportunity to work with a close friend and colleague. VR46 Academy rider, Marco Bezecchi.
Aprilia Ace currently leads the world championship standings, and the Bagnaia Noale-based factory already knows it will be at an “advantage” with both racing towards the same goal.
Bagnaya said on the subject: “When you have such a relationship and start working together, sometimes positive and sometimes negative, but I’ve never had any problems with my colleagues. Above all, respect and the atmosphere should be fun.”
“I know we work well together and I know our relationship will benefit us.”
Moreover, MotoGP researcher Neil Hodgson highlighted how. Bagnaia will have a ‘wealth of information’ from Ducati He can take with him to Aprilia because of their success in recent years.
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