Bikesportnz

The championships went down to the wire, but the 20th and final round of this season’s MotoGP world series actually saw the title decided very early on.

Italy’s defending world champion Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) knew that a fifth placing or better would be enough to retain the title on Sunday, regardless of where his only real challenger, Spain’s Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), finished at the Spanish GPO at Velencia.

Everything was actually decided on lap six of 27, when Martin crashed out.

Thanks to his win in the Valencia GP season finale, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste, Bagnaia secured his second world title in the premier class.

Having made history for being the first Italian rider to win in MotoGP with an Italian motorcycle last year, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider has now written another important chapter in motorcycle racing history by reconfirming himself on the top of the world with his Desmosedici GP.

For Bagnaia, it has been another emotional journey with seven successes achieved in the 20 GPs and four victories in the Saturday Sprint races, a new feature introduced this year in the event program.

From his first win in the inaugural Grand Prix at Portimão, to an unforgettable success in Jerez, to triumph in front of his home crowd at Mugello, up to his great wins in the Netherlands and Austria, Bagnaia’s march towards a second title seemed to be unstoppable, but the dramatic accident at Barcelona, from which the rider from Chivasso fortunately emerged with bruises but no fractures, put a halt to his rise.

With nearest rival Martín increasingly in tune with his Pramac Racing team Desmosedici GP, the fight for the world title soon became a head-to-head between the two Ducati riders.

However, Bagnaia’s response did not take long to arrive and with another spectacular victory in Indonesia, coming back from 13th position on the grid, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider resumed his climb to the top of the World Championship.

The exciting finale at Valencia saw Bagnaia start from first on the grid following a penalty for Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) in the warm-up and the rider from Chivasso made the most of his advantage with a great start.

At turn one of lap two Martin made a late braking move on Pecco to try and take the lead, but they touched, and the Spaniard went wide. Martin then crashed out on lap six of 27, bringing an end to the title battle.

Bagnaia inherited the lead on lap 19 when Australian Jack Miller (KTM) crashed at turn 11.

“I’m super happy, more than this is impossible, also because we won the race so it’s fantastic,” said Bagnaia.

“I want to say a big thanks to all the team, they did an amazing job, from Barcelona, it was quite tough for us, but we deserved this title more than anyone.

“I didn’t see anything behind me, I was thinking Jorge was still in the race, and I was quite scared about that. I just was thinking of winning the race because it was the best way to finish the season.”

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager) said: “We are truly delighted! Winning the title last year was incredible but being able to defend it this year is even more so.

“It’s been a fantastic season for Ducati, three of our riders are on the podium in the world championship so what more can I say.

“Pecco and his team have done a sensational job throughout the season, and I am really very proud of them. I’m sorry about how the title fight ended for Jorge. He put his heart into it right until the end.

“As always, I would like to thank all the men and women of Ducati Corse who work here, but also back home. Without them this second consecutive title would not have been possible. And now, it’s time to celebrate!”

Francesco Bagnaia statistics:

GPs started: 191 (86 x MotoGP, 36 x Moto2, 69 x Moto3)

First GP: Qatar 2019 (MotoGP), Qatar 2017 (Moto2), Qatar 2013 (Moto3)

Victories: 28 (18 MotoGP + 8 Moto2 + 2 Moto3)

Sprint victories: 4

First GP victory: Aragón 2021 (MotoGP), Qatar 2018 (Moto2), Netherlands 2016 (Moto3)

Pole positions: 25 (18 MotoGP + 6 Moto2 + 1 Moto3)

First pole: Qatar 2021 (MotoGP), France 2018 (Moto2), Britain 2016 (Moto3)

World titles: 3 (MotoGP 2023, MotoGP 2022, Moto2 2018)

Photo courtesy Ducati

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MotoGP World Championships final 2023 standings: