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Why Ducati's latest rider divorce was inevitable

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MotoGP Opinion

Why Ducati's latest rider divorce was inevitable

By:

Lewis Duncan

Jun 3, 2020, 1:36 PM

Confirming this week that he will be leaving Ducati at the end of 2020, Danilo Petrucci's exit had been on the cards since last year's Valencia MotoGP finale. Circumstances and a dip in form have worked against him, but Petrucci is a rider who still deserves his place on the grid.

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Though it is yet to be made official, Ducati and Danilo Petrucci will part ways at the end of the 2020 season. He's been ousted by the graduating Jack Miller from Pramac and left with no room at the inn as Andrea Dovizioso, despite his qualms over money, looks likely to remain in the other works Ducati garage for 2021.

The harsh truth is that this had been coming since the back-end of last year. Following a strong opening half to the 2019 season - Petrucci's first as a full factory rider - which included his debut win after 124 starts, his form trailed off miserably, with the 29-year-old failing to secure a top six finish on the run from Brno to the season-ender in Valencia. Finding a way out of that spiral proved tricky for Ducati, as Petrucci's weight - being the tallest rider on the grid - played a major factor.

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Lewis Duncan

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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.