The runner-up in the 2021 MotoGP Because “respect” between riders has evolved, Francesco Bagnaia believes we are now in “a great chapter of our sport.”
Bagnaia, a Ducati rider, finished second in the standings in 2021 after proving to be world champion Fabio Quartararo’s major challenger in the title campaign.
Despite the fact that the championship battle between the two riders never heated up, as Quartararo won with two races to spare, both riders exuded respect for one another at all times.
After crashing out of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and handing the championship to Quartararo, Bagnaia was the first to congratulate the Yamaha rider in pitlane, claiming that the Frenchman deserved the title more than he did.
In general, the new generation of riders has produced little controversy amongst themselves, a far cry from previous MotoGP rivalries like Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner, Sete Gibernau, and Max Biaggi.
“I think our sport is changing, because years ago it was not like this,” Bagnaia stated when asked by Motorsport.com in an upcoming episode of the Tank Slappers podcast if he expected his battle with Quartararo to be as positive as it was.
“And I think it’s a great page of our sport, because respect is always the main thing.
“And more than ever, I think, and I feel that respect is the main thing.”
Bagnaia’s peer regard extended to colleague Jack Miller within the Ducati garage.
Late in the season, the Australian stated that if he was in a position to boost Bagnaia’s title chances, he would do so, while at Austin, he waved the Italian through as he charged towards third.
Bagnaia commented on the atmosphere in the Ducati garage: “I think we have created a great thing in the box, because the air in the box is very calm.
“We cooperate a lot. And for sure it’s something that helps a lot our work, because sometimes he tried a different tyre, I try something different and after the session we speak always about the session.
“I was thinking Jack was a great teammate, because this was already the third year together and we know each other from 2011 and we have a good relationship.
“We are two intelligent riders and I think it’s the best way possible to do a better job.”
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