Ducati signs Enea Bastianini to factory team

Following confirmation back in July of Jack Miller’s departure from Ducati at the end of this year’s MotoGP season, the winner in the race to replace him was revealed on 26 August, with Gresini Racing's Enea Bastianini getting the coveted seat alongside Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati Lenovo Team.

"I am thrilled to be able to wear the colours of the official Ducati team starting next year,” the 24-year-old from Rimini said. “It was my dream, and now it has come true.

“In these two years in MotoGP, I have learned and grown a lot, and I believe that I can only improve with the engineers and men of the Ducati Lenovo Team! I want to thank Claudio, Gigi, Paolo and Davide for trusting me and giving me this incredible opportunity.

“I also want to thank Nadia and the whole Gresini team for the great support I have received from them during this wonderful season together."

Bastianini’s results on a Gresini Racing Desmosedici GP21 - that include three race wins this year as of the San Marino Grand Prix - ensured he got the elevation to the factory seat ahead of early favourite Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing, whose sole MotoGP win to date on similar machinery came in 2021.

“It was not an easy choice - Enea and Jorge Martin are two very fast and young riders,’ said Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse.

“Enea is a very talented rider who has matured a lot. We are convinced that next year, as an official Ducati Lenovo Team rider, he will be able to take another step forward and be among the protagonists in every race.”

Moto2 World Champion in 2020, Bastianini spent his first year in the premier class with Avintia Esponsorama Ducati, where he took two podium places before the move to Gresini this year.

Bastianini’s two-year deal with Ducati Corse will have him on the latest Desmosedici GP bike for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Camping axed for Phillip Island GP

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix organisers have closed large sections of the Highside North and South campgrounds for the 14-16 October event due to excessive rain that has made the area too sodden to use. Trackside was still open at time of writing.

Refunds will be available to all who have booked a site in the affected areas.