Bagnaia, Miller target Ducati's first teams' title since 2007

It might not be the MotoGP riders' title repeat Ducati have been chasing since 2007, but Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller are set to hand the factory the teams' title to add to the constructors' prize at this weekend's Valencia finale.

It would be the first time Ducati have won the teams' title since sweeping the Triple Crown of riders', constructors' and teams' world championships on the back of Casey Stoner's extraordinary debut year for the manufacturer in 2007.

A one-three finish for Bagnaia and Miller at Portimao last Sunday gave Ducati the constructors' crown and means Ducati Lenovo arrive at Valencia with a 28-point team advantage over Monster Yamaha, which has won the riders' title with Fabio Quartararo.

A maximum of 45 team points are up for grabs this weekend, meaning Ducati should be 'safe'. However, the events of Misano, where both Bagnaia and Miller crashed out on the hard front tyre, will be fresh in their minds in what are expected to be cold and perhaps wet conditions.

"After the weekend in Portimão, I feel really charged up for the last race of the season," said Bagnaia, already confirmed as second in the world championship and now seeking a fourth MotoGP win.

"In the last GP in Portugal, everything was perfect. Since Friday, we had been fast, and we hadn't had to make any particular set-up changes to the bike, so I hope the same will happen here in Valencia.

"This is a track I like a lot, and in 2020, I was back to having positive sensations on my Desmosedici after two difficult GPs in Aragon.

"This year, we arrive in Valencia at a particular moment, where everything is going really well, and my feeling with the bike is very good. I'm ready to fight for the win again and try to take the teams' title after winning the constructors' title last week."

Miller, who has won two races during his debut season as a factory team rider, may also need a strong result on Sunday to defend fourth in the world championship from Pramac's Johann Zarco, currently just two points behind.

"To be back on the podium at Portimão was really good, and now the goal is to finish the season fighting for another good result at Valencia," said the Australian. "I am really excited to be racing here again this weekend. It's a really fun track and probably one of my favourites on the calendar.

"The characteristics of the Ducati are well suited to this track, and last year I came very close to winning, so I'll try again this year. After the constructors' title, we have a chance to win the teams' title here, so I'll do everything I can to help my team reach that goal too!"

Miller, then at Pramac, lost out on victory by just 0.093s to Petronas Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli during the second of last year's Valencia rounds.