Pecco Bagnaia chose the 1 to defend the MotoGP title. In recent decades, however, only one has succeeded.
First it spoilers with a photo published prematurely on the site Ducati (and later removed), then the confirmation official during the presentation. I’m sorry Bagnaia chose the number plus demanding, or the 1 of the world champion. Set aside for the moment 63 of him, even if present in small in the graphics, the Piedmontese driver thus gives one slap to superstitions. It’s been a while since this was done choice for the last time (2012), only three riders made it in MotoGP and a few others in the more recent years of the 500cc. But history tells us that it is almost a “curse” for those who want to repeat the title.
Before Bagnaia
He didn’t want it his mentor Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez he continued without hesitation with his 93. We are talking about the “terrible” number 1 world champion and two riders who have won a lotbut without ever wanting to. Then we come to the two most recent ones predecessors of Pecco Bagnaia: Joan Mirworld champion 2020, e Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 champion, went ahead with their respective numbers in the MotoGP title defense season. But before them there are those who, on the other hand, wanted to indulge themselves and put the number of a result conquered on their bike hard. In the case of the late Nicky Hayden it was the symbol of what remained a unique world title in the current queen category and also in his own entire career. Yes, he wanted the number 1, but he wasn’t the only one: Casey Stoner he used it both after the world championship with Ducati and after the one won with Honda. It was no less Jorge Lorenzo, the last of this short list. To none of them however led fortune…
Only one has been repeated
We have said about Hayden, but neither pilots as Stoner and Lorenzo managed to repeat in the season immediately following that of the iris. Not with the number 1 on your bike! And neither have others before talents of the caliber of Alex Criville, Kenny Roberts Jr, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey. There is only one name that has succeeded in this enterprise: his name is Mick Doohanchampion in 1997 and capable of repeating himself in 1998 with the 1 on his Honda. Since then no one has broken that anymore”curse” and for superstition (but also for business) few choose it. I’m sorry Bagnaia instead he decided to place it on his Desmosedici and is determined to repeat himself. Will he succeed?
