MotoGP Misano: Francesco Bagnaia: ‘Expectations are high’, Jack Miller heads for final Ducati home race
Bagnaia’s win streak has taken the factory Ducati star to within ꦺ12 points of Aprilia’s Espargaro, who is in turn 32 behind Yamaha’🧔s reigning title holder Fabio Quartararo.
But Misano has been hero-or-zero territory foꦡr Bagnaia in recent years, the highs of a debut MotoGP podium in 2020 and victor🐽y last season contrasting with two accidents while leading, the last of which confirmed Quartararo as the 2021 champion.
As such, Bagnaia won’t be t♑aking anything for granted this weekend, as he ch🃏ases his fourth win in a row and sixth of the season.
"I'm thrilled to be back racing in Misano this weekend,” Bagnaia said. “I live 20 minutes from the circuit, and it's a really spec♏ial track foꦡr me.
“I 🃏have a lot of good memories here, so it will be an exciting weekend! Plus, there will definitely be a 💃lot of Ducatisti in the stands, so the atmosphere will be even more unique.
“We arrive in Misano after winning t🌜he last three races, and also last year, we came first in the San Marino GP, so expectations are high.
“However, we mustn't lose✱ concentration: th🉐e goal is to hit the best result, to add some more important points for the overall standings.”
Jack Miller heads for final Ducati home race
Bagnaia isn’t the only factory Ducati rider climbingꦓ up the world championship standings in recent rounds.
Team-mate Jack Miller ✨has risen from ninth to fifth courtesy of three podiums in the last four races🐷, following a set-up breakthrough at the Barcelona test.
Now just two points behind Pramac’s Johann Zarco, 🌃Sunday will marꦿk Miller’s final race appearance for Ducati on the factory's home Italian asphalt before he joins KTM next season.
"I'm excited to race at Misano this weekend! Our teaꦚm is going through a really positive moment, so I hope we can give great emotions to all our fans here at our home track,” said Miller, who moved to Ducati from Honda in 2018.
“In general, I've alﷺways been quite competit🌠ive on this track. In the last few Grands Prix, I've felt more and more comfortable on the Desmosedici GP, so I'm confident I can find the same positive feelings here”
While Bagnaia’s four DNFs mean he is still playing catch-up in the riders’ standings, Ducati currently leads 🔯both the constructors’ and teams’ championships.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and hasღ seen Valentino Rossi come and go🃏. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
