First look at Pramac Ducati 2021 MotoGP livery - Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin
New Pramac Ducati riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin presented along with the 2021 MotoGP livery, is the year the satellite team win with a Desmosedici?
Pramac Ducati has an unchanged livery this year, but two new riders in veteran Johann Zarco and rookie Jorge Martin move in, as Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia depart for the factory Ducati team.
Johann Zarco comes in from Avintia Ducati, making history last year by taking the year-old Avinitia bike to their first pole and podium, whilst Jorge Martin is promoted from Moto2 - having won two races, but also, unfortunately, contracting covid, denting his hopes for a championship run.
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The Pramac Ducati team will hope that Zarco will find success on the Desmosedici bike, having access to the latest top-spec parts from the Ducati warehouse and on-par with the official Ducati team. Pramac will be searching for their long-overdue first victory with Ducati machinery, and perhaps Zarco will be just the man for the job with seven MotoGP podiums so far.
Some may say Zarco is a ‘master of the dark arts’ with his aggressive riding style, and I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities for debate over the coming season when Zarco is involved. I’d probably put money on him reaching at least a podium this coming season, if not a win.
Zarco said "Last year there were many different winners [nine] and this makes me think this year will be my turn. Last year I had to learn so many things about the bike and this year I can take advantage of it.”
"If we think about the past few years, this is the opportunity to be reborn. I am back now, I want to maintain this and bring something good to the team.”
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Meanwhile, Jorge Martin is sitting in a favourable position to make use of the same Ducati machinery and content for Rookie of the Year - despite hints that Zarco will be given favourable dibs on any in-season updates.
Martin will be setting his targets high but is aware of the pressure ”Everything in MotoGP is new for me, it's like starting from scratch," Martin said. "I am happy to be here with Pramac and Ducati and I can't wait to start. I really want to ride the motorcycle!
"Yes, Rookie of the Year is my first goal, although they [Bastianini and Marini] are both strong riders. Mostly, I aim to accomplish good results by the end of the year."
We’ll first get to see them in action during their debut rides at the Qatar test.
