Ducati commits to MotoGP until 2026
Ducati have signed a deal with MotoGP organizer, Dorna Sports SL, that will keep them in the premier class of motorcycle grand prix racing from 2022 until 2026.
Announced on 19 January, the new five-year deal will ensure the Desmosedici GP remains on the MotoGP grid until the end of the 2026 season. Ducati joins KTM in formally committing to MotoGP beyond 2021, and while Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Aprilia are yet to sign beyond this season, all bar Aprilia are expected to do so shortly.
"Racing has always been a truly fundamental part of the Ducati brand and will remain so in the future,” said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding.
“While we plan to continue to expand our product range outside of the world of sports bikes, the track and high-performance motorbikes remain a central element for Ducati. I want to thank Dorna Sports and, in particular, Carmelo Ezpeleta for their great work over the years that has made MotoGP a truly extraordinary media platform.”
The 2021 MotoGP World Championship is scheduled to commence at Losail in Qatar on 28 March, where Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia will make their debuts with the factory Ducati Team.