Moto2 frontrunner Francesco Bagnaia will make his MotoGP debut in 2019 after agreeing a two-year deal with Ducati to join the satellite Pramac outfit.
The double Moto3 race winner graduated to the Moto2 class last season with the Valentino Rossi-backed Sky VR46 team, and scored three podiums on his way to top rookie honours in fifth in the standings.
The Italian was linked to a move to MotoGP with Ducati and Pramac by Gazzetta dello Sport in January, with many believing the deal was all but done.
Current Pramac rider Danilo Petrucci's announcement that 2018 would be his last with the team as he seeks a factory place – with Aprilia a likely destination – all but paved the way for Bagnaia to take his place.
“Alma Pramac Racing announced that it has reached an agreement with Francesco Bagnaia for the 2019 and 2020 MotoGP seasons,” a Pramac team statement read.
“The Italian rider, who signed a contract directly with Ducati, will step on board the Ducati Desmosedici GP of Alma Pramac Racing during the next official Valencia tests at the end of the 2018 MotoGP season.”
Bagnaia posted on Twitter: “'What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to ride a Ducati in MotoGP'. Today I grew up and I will ride a Ducati in MotoGP in 2019. Thanks to Ducati, Pramac Racing, Sky Racing Team, VR Riders Academy.”
Bagnaia is one of two VR46 Academy rider already confirmed to be competing in the premier class next year, with reigning Moto2 world champion Franco Morbidelli signed to Marc VDS for the next two years.
