Ducati Motor is the first MotoGP team to reveal its 2020 challenger in a special launch event in Italy with riders and its official.
Ducati has kicked-off the 2020 launch circus with the Italian outfit unveiling its new MotoGP challenger – the Desmosedici GP20 – in Bologna, Italy, in the presence of riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci and chiefs Luigi Dall’Igna and Paolo Ciabatti.
The team has presented a slightly tweaked livery for 2020 with more black on the bike with the usual red and stripes of white and grey. Like in 2019, Mission Winnow stays as its premier partner with Audi Sport getting a big presence as well.
Having lost out to Honda in 2019, Ducati will be raring to go in 2020 as the chiefs talked about the new season, where they shared details of the changes which includes things like new bodywork and fairing, among other things.
“2019 was interesting and made us understand a few aspects that will help us to improve and grow in 2020,” said Dovizioso. “Last year we finished as runner-up for the third consecutive time behind Marc Marquez, a rider that for sure made the difference last year, but we also did our best managing well our potential.
“Every year has its own story, and it is not easy to predict what will happen in 2020. Our goal is clear; we want to challenge for the title again. Both Ducati and I are working hard to be back stronger than ever before.
“Compared to last year, I expect to find more competitive rivals, but we have also grown a lot, and I am confident that we will be able to continue with our positive trend.” At the same time, Petrucci added: “2019 was positive for me, despite a few difficulties towards the end of the year. It was my best season in MotoGP in terms of results.
“I took my first win in Mugello in a fantastic race in front of my home crowd and all the Ducati fans. This result boosts my confidence and motivates me to improve even more this year. I know our rivals will be back stronger this year, but that counts for me too. I have been improving and growing each season, and this year I want to confirm my results and make further steps forward compared to last year.”
On the team’s side, Dall’Igna said: “We already left the 2019 season behind, a year that saw us confirmed as runner-up in the riders’ standings for the third time in a row with Andrea. Dovizioso scored nine podiums and two incredible victories.
“At the same time, Danilo gave us incredible emotions with his victory in Mugello, which is a GP that we had won in the last three years. Still, we can’t say that we are completely satisfied as our ultimate goal remains the same: winning the championship title. 2020 will be even more intense and demanding with twenty races scheduled in the calendar, and our rivals will be even more competitive.
“That is why we all need to increase our commitment. For this reason, we have been working harder during the winter to offer to Andrea and Danilo a Desmosedici GP20 bike that will allow them to become leading contenders in all races and all conditions.”
There will be four GP20 on the grid in 2020 with the factory duo riding it along with Pramac Racing riders Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia. On the other hand, Avintia Racing will get factory support but Johann Zarco and Tito Rabat will still ride the GP19 machine.
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