Pecco Bagnaia, who has retired and is now a father, speaks through press releases following the Assen race
It was an emotional day for Pecco Bagnaia, following a week that had already been extremely intense. Just a few days after announcing his historic departure from Ducati—complete with a move to Aprilia—the Piedmontese rider experienced a bitter retirement from the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday due to technical issues, but also the great joy of the birth of his first child following the delivery by his wife, Domizia Castagnini. It was a whirlwind of events, leading the two-time MotoGP champion to speak only through press releases following the race at Assen.
In fact, Bagnaia did not attend any of the press conferences scheduled at the end of the day at Assen. A few hours later, after reuniting with his wife Domizia and their baby son, he shared his thoughts in a statement released by Ducati. “I certainly didn’t expect to end up retiring, especially since I had a very positive feeling after the Sprint race. However, I wasn’t riding the way I wanted to; I was struggling to slow down and bring the bike to a stop. In the second half of the race, the situation became too difficult to even consider continuing. I’m sorry to have ended things this way right here at Assen,” Pecco said.
The retirement at Assen comes at a time already fraught with significance for Bagnaia, who just a few days ago saw the end of his long partnership with Ducati made official. The Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer confirmed that the Valencia GP, at the end of the season, will be the last in which Pecco will race for the Ducati Lenovo Team. This farewell brings to a close eight years of shared history—six with the factory team, two with the Pramac team—during which the Piedmontese rider won two consecutive world titles in 2022 and 2023, as well as 31 victories and 63 podium finishes aboard the Desmosedici GP, becoming the most successful rider in the history of the Emilia-based brand.
Bagnaia and Ducati have parted ways not without a touch of melancholy, as evidenced by Pecco’s own words in his farewell statement: “You were my dream, and you became the most beautiful reality ever. Last season, it was difficult for us to see eye to eye; we clashed more than we would have liked, and something began to change. I feel the need to start over with a new challenge, but I will never forget what we were. You’re a part of me, and you always will be.” Starting in 2027, Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta will take his place on the official Ducati team.
Bagnaia’s future is already set, and it bears the name Aprilia. The rider from Chivasso has signed a four-year contract with the Noale-based manufacturer, where he’ll form an all-Italian duo with Marco Bezzecchi. It’s a pairing that has thrilled Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola: “Michele Colaninno and I share the vision of supporting Italy, which is why we both thought of Marco and Pecco together for the next chapter of Aprilia Racing. Having a multiple world champion is a responsibility we can’t wait to take on.” Bagnaia’s arrival also coincides with the run-up to the 2027 technical revolution, which will see the introduction of new 850cc engines.
Amid all this flurry of sports news, the birth of his son is undoubtedly his greatest joy. Bagnaia and Domizia Castagnini were married in July 2024 in Pesaro, a city from which the Piedmontese rider has received honorary citizenship, having chosen to settle in the capital of the Marche region several years ago. The wedding, held in the city’s cathedral, was attended by Valentino Rossi and numerous VR46 riders, among others. Now, two years after their wedding, the Bagnaia family is growing, giving Pecco an extra source of energy and motivation to tackle the challenges awaiting him in the season finale and in the new chapter of his career with Aprilia.
