Ducati have today announced that they have secured the signing of highly-rated Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia for the 2019 season.
The Italian, who is part of Valentino Rossi’s rider academy, and also riders for the Sky VR46 Moto2 team, will ride for the Pramac team after signing a contract directly with the Ducati Factory.
Bagnaia has signed a two year deal with Ducati, putting him alongside Jack Miller next season on the satellite machine.
The 21 year old made his debut in the Moto3 world championship in 2013, failing to score a single point on board the FTR Honda machine. Bagnaia’s stand out year would be in 2016, where the Italian picked up two victories on the un-competitive Mahindra bike.
He made the step up to Moto2 last year, joining Rossi’s VR46 squad on board a Kalex chassis. Bagnaia would secure 4 podiums, including two second places at Jerez and Le Mans.
The move obviously confirms that Danilo Petrucci will be moving elsewhere next season, with the Italian keen to secure a factory ride.
