Bastianini confirms Ducati deal for 2021 MotoGP season

Moto2 title contender Enea Bastianini has confirmed he will step up to the MotoGP grid in 2021 with Ducati, most likely replacing Johann Zarco in the Avintia squad.

Ahead of this weekend’s San Marino MotoGP, the Italian is currently in contention for the 2020 Moto2 World Championship - eight points shy of leader Luca Marini - and was understood to be in a head-to-head with his fellow Italian over an available Ducati ride.

However, after Avintia Racing team boss Ruben Xaus confirmed Bastianini is almost certain to be heading to the Spanish outfit in 2021, Bastianini himself confirmed he was indeed on his way to the premier class.

“I have signed with Ducati and for the moment I don’t know the team, but in the next week it will be possible to confirm this,” he confirmed in an interview on the official MotoGP website. 

“For me it is really important to be next year with Ducati, it is a good family for me - an Italian bike and me an Italian - it is possible to make me faster in MotoGP!”

Bastianini is set to be one of two Moto2 graduates heading to Ducati in 2021, with Jorge Martin expected to be confirmed with Pramac Racing. Zarco and Pecco Bagnaia are now in a head-to-head for the available factory ride alongside Jack Miller.

By signing with Ducati, Bastianini follows the path set by Zarco, whose arrival at Avintia for the 2020 MotoGP season saw the team upgraded to an official satellite team with greater input from the Italian factory.

Tito Rabat is currently contracted to Avintia Racing directly on a two-year deal that will continue into the 2021 MotoGP season.