Ducati triumphed at the final round of MotoGP 2021 in Valencia with its first historic podium lockout in MotoGP, Pecco Bagnaia winning ahead of Jorge Martin and Jack Miller, while Italy’s Valentini Rossi signed off on a truly glorious career.
At the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana, the final Grand Prix of the 2021 MotoGP season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste (Spain), Ducati secured a podium lockout, as with Bagnaia’s win, the second place of Martin (Pramac Racing Team) and the third place of Miller.
For the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, which was crowned 2021 MotoGP Constructors’ World Champion just seven days ago in Portimão, this is another historic achievement that has never been reached before in the premier class.
The was Bagnaia’s fourth win this season and the second consecutive after last week’s win in Portugal.
As he was starting from second on the grid, the Italian rider was able to keep the same position after the start, behind Martin, who started from pole position. With 12 laps to go, Bagnaia made his decisive move on the fellow Ducati rider, taking the lead, where he remained until the chequered flag.
Behind Martin, in third, was Bagnaia’s team-mate Miller. As he departed from the third spot of the grid, the Australian rider dropped back into sixth place in the early stages of the race, but as soon as he found his rhythm, he could close the gap on his rivals and get back into the podium fight.
Third, with nine laps to go, Miller got closer and closer to Martin but could not overtake him, eventually finishing the race in third place, confirming his fourth position in the championship.
With both riders on the podium, the Ducati Lenovo Team secured the 2021 MotoGP Teams’ World Title. For the Italian team, this is the second title since the first one taken in 2007.
“I’m thrilled with the victory today. To win wearing Valentino Rossi’s helmet was incredible and the best way to celebrate his last race,” said Bagnaia afterwards.
“Today’s success was incredible, and now we know we are ready to fight for the riders’ title next year.
“During this season, we have improved the bike’s setup race after race, and at the end of 2021, the Desmosedici GP has become very strong, as well as its riders.
“We have a very good base for next year, and I hope to start as we finish. We have gained a lot of experience, and we have grown a lot!
“The team is unbelievable, and the atmosphere inside the garage is amazing. I’m really happy, and I thank Ducati for all this.”
Photo courtesy Ducati
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RESULTS & FINAL STANDINGS:
Race Classification:
- F. BAGNAIA – Ducati Lenovo Team – 41:15.481
- J. MARTIN – Pramac Racing – +00.489
- J. MILLER – Ducati Lenovo Team – +00.823
- J. MIR – Team SUZUKI ECSTAR – +05.214
- F. QUARTARARO – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – +05.439
- J. ZARCO – Pramac Racing – +06.993
- B. BINDER – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – +08.437
- E. BASTIANINI – Avintia Esponsorama – +10.933
- A. ESPARGARO – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – +12.651
- V. ROSSI – Petronas Yamaha SRT – +13.468
- F. MORBIDELLI – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – +14.085
- A. DOVIZIOSO – Petronas Yamaha SRT – +16.534
- A. MARQUEZ – LCR Honda CASTROL – +17.059
- M. OLIVEIRA – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – +18.221
- I. LECUONA – Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing – +19.233
- M. VIÑALES – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – +19.815
- L. MARINI – SKY VR46 Avintia – +28.860
- D. PETRUCCI – Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing – +32.169
Final 2021 MotoGP World Standings:
1 Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha 267
2 Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati 227
3 Joan MIR Suzuki 195
4 Jack MILLER Ducati 165
5 Johann ZARCO Ducati 163
6 Marc MARQUEZ Honda 142
7 Brad BINDER KTM 142
8 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 113
9 Maverick VIÑALES Aprilia 106
10 Pol ESPARGARO Honda 100
11 Alex RINS Suzuki 99
12 Enea BASTIANINI Ducati 94
13 Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM 92
14 Jorge MARTIN Ducati 91
15 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 76
16 Alex MARQUEZ Honda 67
17 Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha 42
18 Luca MARINI Ducati 41
19 Iker LECUONA KTM 38
20 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha 38
21 Danilo PETRUCCI KTM 37
22 Stefan BRADL Honda 14
23 Michele PIRRO Ducati 12
24 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Yamaha 8
25 Dani PEDROSA KTM 6
26 Lorenzo SAVADORI Aprilia 4
27 Tito RABAT Ducati 1
28 Cal CRUTCHLOW Yamaha
29 Garrett GERLOFF Yamaha
30 Jake DIXON Yamaha