Bagnaia: My style looks similar to Lorenzo

Having wrapped-up the Moto2 title last time in Malaysia, Francesco Bagnaia is just days away from starting his MotoGP adventure with Pramac Ducati.

The Italian - who made a brief MotoGP debut for the Aspar Ducati team at the same Spanish circuit in 2016, as a reward for his Moto3 victories - will aim to take a ninth and final Moto2 victory on Sunday before joining Pramac from the post-race test on Tuesday.

"All this year, whenever I thought of MotoGP I was saying to myself ‘no, Pecco, you must concentrate on Moto2’. I knew I had to wait until Valencia and now I’m really looking forward to it," he said.

"Next year we will be there against the fastest and strongest riders in the world. It’s amazing no? When I was younger it was my dream… and it will happen on Tuesday."

Another dream will be to race for Ducati.

"Ducati is one of the nicest brands. I always dreamed of riding one and now it comes true," he said.

"I think they made a good step in front. Already in 2016 they made a step to 2017 and now again: three years.

"I think this year has been the most competitive package for traction, speed and chassis. It can be nice to make a good season with them."

Asked how his riding style will suit the reputed 300-horsepower machine, Bagnaia replied:

"I watch the other riders and I think I have a style that is not the same. It is similar to perhaps Jorge Lorenzo. I brake hard but always with a lot of corner speed, like him. I need to try it [MotoGP] before saying something…

"With his work I think the Ducati can be a positive bike for me."

Bagnaia's Moto2 crown is also the first for the VR46 team and a member of the VR46 Riders' Academy. Next year, Bagnaia will be on the same grid as Rossi.

"My objective will be to learn something every day and if it will be possible to fight with him then it will be a bit strange," Bagnaia said. "He started riding in the world championship in ’96 and I was born in ’97!

"He has always been there fighting for a championship. It will be nice.

"With Valentino it is easy to listen to him and to understand how to avoid some errors. For him, I think [the Academy] is good because with the young riders you remain more ‘young’."

Bagnaia will be one of four rookies on the 2019 MotoGP grid, alongside title rival Miguel Oliveira (Tech3 KTM), plus Joan Mir (Suzuki) and Fabio Quartararo (Sepang Yamaha).

"I think the Eookies championship next year will be very exciting because Fabio, Miguel and Joan are very fast riders and it could be a good championship," 'Pecco' said.

"My objective is to be in front of them at the end of the year, but I have to be calm and not put too much pressure.

"[Pramac] is a big team that won the independent championship and I think it is the best ‘client’ team of the championship.

"I have to enjoy it and the Ducati."