MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia may have already decided on the number to apply to his Ducati in 2023.
Pecco Bagnaia and his better half Domitia Castagnini they flew to Dubai, finally for a holiday after winning the MotoGP world title. Since last November 6, in which he claimed champion in Valencia, there have been events and celebrations around Europe and Italy, up to the most recent party in the square in Chivasso. After Christmas with the family and the announcement of the wedding for 2023, he finally set off towards the sun of Dubai.
Upon his return, it will already be time to get back to work to prepare for next season. In February there will be the first official MotoGP test at Sepang, in which he will try out the new features set up by the Ducati engineers for his new Desmosedici GP23. But even before that, he will have to stop in Madonna di Campiglio from 22 to 25 January, when the Borgo Panigale manufacturer will present the MotoGP and SBK teams for the next championships and the bike liveries.
Pecco Bagnaia and the moment of the official decision
By that date I’m sorry Bagnaia he will have to solve the mystery about the number that will accompany him in the 2023 season. On the livery he could decide to apply the number 1 of the reigning champion or continue with the number 63. Ducati Corse sporting director, Paolo Ciabatti, is pushing for the adoption of the number 1 . “It is certainly important because it sends a clear signal. The number 1 belongs to the world championthe 65-year-old manager told Speedweek.com. “It would be great for the company if our pilot chooses number 1“.
But the final choice is up to Pecco Bagnaia. World champion pilots often don’t adopt it for superstitious or marketing reasons. In the past they have only used it Nicky Hayden in 2007, Jorge Lorenzo in 2011 and Casey Stoner in 2012. In the case of the Piedmontese Ducati rider, adopting the number 1 could be feasible, given that 63 has not always been his number. He started with the 21, then with the 42 in Moto2 and finally with the 63 after he moved to MotoGP.
No pressure from the Emilian manufacturer, Paul Ciabatti clarifies: “We leave this decision in the hands of the pilot. Because it is important that he can ride with the starting number that best represents him“. After the well-deserved holidays and until the presentation of the Lenovo Ducati team in the Dolomites, Pecco Bagnaia has plenty of time to continue reflecting on it, assuming he hasn’t already decided. At the “100 Km of Champions” held at the Tavullia Ranch, the world champion took to the track with the number 1 on his flat track bike. A clue that could mean a lot.
