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2020 Ducati MotoGP Team Revealed

Ducati GP bikes are looking wild in 2020.

February 5, 2020

Claudio Domenicali: “We are proud to represent an excellent territory, the Motor Valley, in the competitions. This is an incredible area that within a ray of 150 kilometers sees prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Dallara, Pagani, and of course Ducati, that is situated just 15 minutes away from the center of Bologna. This is what racing is for Ducati: an advanced technological incubator, a showcase for Italian intelligence and technology, and an incredible component of passion for all the Ducatisti.”Ducati

The 2020 Mission Winnow Ducati Team launch was held at the Palazzo Re Enzo in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy, earlier this week, and much to the delight of Ducati racing fans around the world, the Desmosedici GP20 racebikes look out of this world…literally. The new era of MotoGP has begun and the Italians have their sights set on dethroning the Japanese giants for the first time since Casey Stoner earned Ducati its lone MotoGP title back in 2007.

Riding the red and black Mission Winnow Desmosedici GP20 racebikes will be Andrea Dovizioso (#04), the 2019 championship runner-up, and Danilo Petrucci (#9) who finished sixth in the 2019 championship.Ducati

“Racing is and has always been a fundamental part of our company, even in such a particularly complicated era where technology is drastically changing our surroundings,” explains Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding CEO. “In order to succeed in this situation, it is necessary to keep investing in research and development and racing is a crucial part of our commitment to this. If we sum the R&D done for the production line, for racing, and the assets needed to produce new models, the global Ducati R&D is worth more than 10 percent of the revenue.

Take a close look at the Mission Winnow Desmosedici GP20. Notice the massive winglets, the lower aerodynamic shielding on the wheels, and the peculiar shape of the tailsection that are all designed to help the Desmo continue to be one of the fastest motorcycles on the GP grid.Ducati

“Our Panigale V4 machine [which Senior Editor Adam Waheed recently rode in Bahrain—Ed.] has been profoundly renovated for 2020, and it wouldn’t have been born without the contribution of all the lessons that we have learned thanks to the competitions. An engine that features a counter rotating crankshaft, a spine and slice traction control, an efficient aerodynamic fairing that includes aerofoils are just a few of the elements deriving from the skillful work done by Gigi [Dall’Igna] and his crew in MotoGP. We are incredibly proud, not just because Ducati is the only Italian company, but also the only European company able to win races in MotoGP since the beginning of the Championship in 2002.”

Andrea Dovizioso (#04, Mission Winnow Ducati): “2019 was interesting and made us understand a few aspects that will help us to improve and grow in 2020. Last year we finished as runner-up for the third consecutive time behind Marc Màrquez, a rider that for sure made the difference last year, but we also did our best managing well our potential.”Ducati

Indeed, racing is a key driving force in the history of Ducati motorcycles and particularly the development of its, now-signature, V-4 powerplant which is at the heart of every Ducati superbike. Anyone who loves motorcycle racing should be rooting for the Italian squad to finally break through and earn the coveted GP title for only the second time. They have the bike, they have the support, and they have riders who can win races, so make sure to tune in and follow the 2020 FIM MotoGP World Championship because history is going to be made, one way or another.

Danilo Petrucci (#9, Mission Winnow Ducati): “2019 was positive for me, despite a few difficulties toward 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.”Ducati

Both of the Mission Winnow Desmosedici GP20 machines feature new red and black livery that gives the bike a more sinister appearance than the red and white versions that came before them. The question is, will all the Italian tech, concealed beneath the carbon fiber bodywork, be enough to finally dethrone Honda?Ducati

The MotoGP World Championship is set to begin with official testing scheduled for February 7–9 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and the 2020 season opener at Qatar on March 8. Domenicali’s sentiments and expectations for the upcoming season were a hot topic for Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi “Gigi” Dall’Igna, who followed up the boss’ pep talk with a call to action that being second best is fine but it is not what they want. Another MotoGP championship is the goal, and the team is anxious to get the battle underway.

Andrea Dovizioso: “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.”Ducati

Danilo Petrucci: “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.”Ducati

“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,” Dall’Igna says. “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 20 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.”