MotoGP Misano: Bagnaia makes history for Ducati as Dovi bows out

Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia claimed a sensational San Marino victory for four in a row at Misano on Sunday.

A dramatic late-race battle with Gresini’s Enea Bastianini saw the home pair split by just 0.034s at the line with Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales completing the celebrations on the Adriatic Coast.

Special liveries were on show as the San Marino Grand Prix prepared. Both Mooney and Gresini Racing presenting colourful editions for their home event with VR46’s ‘Mad Dog’ artistic representation contrasting with the retro 125cc Fausto Gresini dedication.

Jack Miller headed the Ducati lockout of the front row as Bastianini and Marco Bezzecchi joined the Australian for their home GP. Bagnaia dropped to fifth following his FP1 penalty for irresponsible riding with title rivals Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro further back on row three. WithU Yamaha’s Andrea Dovizioso lining up for his final World Championship race from 18th.

All but one rider opted for hard Michelin front tyres as the grid prepared, Suzuki Ecstar stand-in Kabuki Watanabe going rogue with a medium, while the majority agreed on medium rear rubber apart from the second Suzuki of Alex Rins, Monster Energy Yamaha’s Franky Morbidelli and the two Gresini men.

Lights out for 27-laps and Bagnaia was immediately up to third as his teammate kept control out front. A triple crash at the opening corner finding Prima Prama’s Johann Zarco, Aruba.it Ducati’s Michele Pirro and Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro in the gravel. Aprilia and VR46 battling for position as Maverick Viñales headed Bezzecchi, Aleix Espargaro and Luca Marini with Quartararo behind for eighth.

Miller’s impressive weekend came to a dramatic early end with a crash at turn four on lap two. Bezzecchi