During MotoGP™ FP2 at the Gran Premio Lenovo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, pitlane reporter Simon Crafar spoke to Avintia Esponsorama Racing Team Manager Ruben Xaus to get the latest on Johann Zarco’s future with the team, and what new additions might be added for 2021.
There has been plenty of speculation over the last couple of weeks about who is going to partner Jack Miller in the factory Ducati Team in 2021, with Andrea Dovizioso confirming he will not be continuing with Ducati when the season draws to a close in Portugal in November. Two names have emerged as the contenders to don Ducati red in 2021 – Pramac Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia and Czech GP podium finisher Zarco.
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“Yeah it’s clear that we are looking to upgrade the situation in the team, things are happening very fast,” commented former Grand Prix rider Xaus. “It’s very clear that next year Johann will not be with us. I’m really happy for him because he deserves to be in a factory bike at Ducati and it’s clear to us that it’s a good spot for the young generation to come up and show things.”
So, that confirms Zarco will be either in the Pramac Racing or in the Ducati Team garage next season. Xaus then confirms a Moto2™ frontrunner is 99% sure to join the Esponsorama Racing ranks next year.
“We have proved that we can be really fast on the track and I’m sure that a young Italian will come in and so far, today, I’m 99% sure that Enea Bastianini will join us.”
Some pieces of the Ducati 2021 line-up jigsaw have seemingly fallen into place, with Bastianini getting his chance in the premier class next season – the Italian admitting he still doesn’t know which team that will be in though. Now, we wait to see when Ducati confirm who will be lining up next to Miller next season.