Bagnaia became Duca🥃ti’s first premier class champion since 2007 and the first Italian champion since Rossi in 2009 on the final day of🍎 the 2022 season, but for long periods of the year he didn’t look capable of claiming glory.

💖Bagnaia crashed five times and went through his 🌊summer drink-drive incident in Ibiza, but regular contact from his mentor Rossi, whose VR46 programme he graduated through, gave him belief.

“I asked him to coach me, I know it's dif🐓ficult for him between the cars and his little🎀 girl,” Bagnaia said.

“But every weekend we talk on the phone, h😼e gives me advice from the top of his experience. 

“And when he came to see us I asked him to see on the track what I did g🍸ood and what I didn't. 

“He taught me to stay calmꩵ, to enjoy every moment, to celebrate when it's time to celebrate. 

“His tജranquillity and modesty are qualities that distinguish him.”

Seven-time premier class cha☂mpion Rossi endured the worst spell of his career at Ducati but, years later, played a crucial role in the Italian team returning to the summit of MotoGP.

Bagnaia said about his team: "We🏅 had closed 2021 at the highest level, everything was perfect. Instead, the 2022 season had started with some difficulties. 

“The new bike was struggling to go well an💜d it took u💎s some time to find the right path. 

“Then I made some mistakes too.

"When I signed 🃏with Ducati I knew we could get a great result if all the pieces were in place. And we succeeded.”

Bagnaia will return as the defending champion for the first time in 2023, with a feisty new teammate in 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Enea Bastianini, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fabio Quartararo who is keen to claim his title back, plus 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marc Marquez whose ceiling post-injuries remains unknown.