MotoGP winner Petrucci reunites with Ducati for 2022 MotoAmerica switch

As has been widely expected in the build-up to the new season, Petrucci will replace World Superbike-bound Loris Baz aboard Warhorse HSBK’s team sole Ducati Panigale V4 R in the 11-round championship.

The Italian rider previously enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Ducati in MotoGP between 2015-20, initially with Pramac before being promoted to the factory squad in 2019.

PLUS: Petrucci's Dakar odyssey 

During that time, Petrucci scored two race wins, including a maiden triumph on his home turf at Mugello, while securing a best finish of sixth in the championship in 2019.

His switch to KTM lasted only a single season in 2021 as he struggled to get to grips with the Tech 3-run RC16, although he did impress the Austrian manufacturer by clinching a stage win on his Dakar Rally debut last month.

To give himself the best chance of success in MotoAmerica, Petrucci will relocate close to Warhorse HSBK’s base in Pennsylvania prior to the season opener at Daytona on 10-12 March.

He is also expected to test the Panigale V4 R at Portimao next week alongside Ducati’s factory WSBK riders Alvaro Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

“I’m so happy that I am coming back to race with Ducati, and I would like to give a special thank you to all the Ducati people who made this project possible,” said Petrucci. 

“I spoke about this project with Eraldo Ferracci (Advisor, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York) at Circuit of The Americas last year and all the management starting with Claudio Domenicali, Gigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti and Davide Tardozzi, and they were really happy to have me on board again. 

"I want to continue to have fun and to keep riding my bike, so I have chosen this project to make a new experience on the human side.

"I will