The Ducati Lenovo Team arrives at the island for the 19th round of the season. The MotoGP engines will soon be firing up at Phillip Island with the new pairing for the Borgo Panigale team: as previously announced, Marc Marquez will not participate in this event. Following the crash at the Indonesian GP, Marc suffered a fracture of the base of the coracoid process and an ingury to the ligaments in his right shoulder. After a week of immobilization and further medical checks, this injury required a minor surgery. Michele Pirro, test rider of the Desmosedici GP, will replace him for this first round. This will be Michele’s 70th race in the Premier class.
At Phillip Island, one of the most beloved tracks among riders, Ducati has triumphed six times in its history. Stoner achieved a winning streak between 2007 and 2010 with four consecutive victories at his home circuit, followed by Zarco in 2023, after a 13-year drought, and Marc Márquez in 2024.
Francesco Bagnaia has never achieved the maximum goal here, but he has been among the most consistent riders at this track in the post-Covid era with three consecutive podiums. Third in 2024, second in 2023, and third again in 2022. Pecco is coming from a difficult race at Mandalika and is back to work seeking consistency in results and a good feeling aboard the Desmosedici GP.
For Pecco and Michele appointment on Friday, October 17th, at 10:45 a.m. local time, for the first free practice session.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd (274 points)
“Phillip Island is a spectacular circuit, breathtaking, especially on a high-performance bike like a MotoGP bike. It’s truly beautiful! In recent years, I’ve always been fast and consistent here, even though without victory. We’re coming into this race after a complicated weekend; we’re working hard to understand exactly what happened at Mandalika. The goal is to get back to the same feeling we had on the track at Motegi”.
Michele Pirro (#51 Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I’m coming to Phillip Island, perhaps one of the most beloved tracks for all riders, due to a particular situation. I wish Marc a speedy recovery so he can fully honor on track the title he won with the Desmosedici GP. Australia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and spectacular tracks for a return to MotoGP. It will be my 70th race in the Premier Class, so thanks to Ducati: let’s make the most of this weekend of work”.
