Gresini Racing first MotoGP outfit to unveil 2022 machinery

It’s the start of a new era from Gresini Racing as they begin their partnership with Ducati for the 2022 MotoGP season - and they are first off the line to unveil their new machinery. 

Both Italian riders, Enea Bastianini and rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio, will be riding atop the year-old Ducati Desmosedici GP21 this year and will be 2 of the 8 Ducatis due to line up on the grid in 2022 - which is quite frankly absurd. 

It’s a season for firsts for Gresini Racing, as it’s the first season since splitting from running as a factory(ish) Aprilia Racing team to reverting to an independent/satellite team under their own name since the tragic passing of founder Fausto Gresini. 

Team Gresini will be led by his late wife Nadia Padovani who is now the director and was on stage to introduce the 2022 lineup. She mentioned it has been a steep learning curve to get prepped to run the team, and she is proud to act as a trailblazer for women in motorsport. 

Sights are set high for next season, and the light-blue livery team will be prepping for the #49 of Di Giannantonio’s first test at the Sepang MotoGP rookies shakedown. 

Gresini Racing 2022 on the new MotoGP season

Enea Bastianini: "The new colours of the bike are very particular, when I saw it first it appears a little strange to me, but now that I see it live I can say it is amazing. Such a great bike can’t be but fast!  In about twenty days we’ll be leaving for the tests, luckily it is just a short time because I’m way too excited to be back on my Ducati. 

I already met the team during the first test: we had the chance to know each other better and to work together, and I can firmly say that I have a super team. I think it is going to be a very interesting season, I’m sure we’ll achieve great results. I can’t wait for the season to begin!”

Fabio Di Giannantonio: "2022 is just around the corner. It will be my first season in MotoGP and it will be so cool! I will have a lot to learn, my expectation is to grow race by race and who knows, we’ll may be able to collect even some great achievements. 

In a bit we’ll be back on track for the test, we’re going in Malaysia and Indonesia is following. I can’t wait to ride again this beautiful beast. The winter break is always too long, I’m counting the days, the hours! And the bike is spectacular, maybe the most beautiful I’ve ever ride, the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. With that unique main color it looks like a bike of the 70’s, retrò style, on track we’ll be recognizable for sure. Particular, original, BEAUTIFUL. A unique emotion”.

Interestingly, in the live reveal, he was asked why he chose the #49 - he said he believes the number has never been used in MotoGP before, and Morbidelli will be taking the #21 which he’d have otherwise opted for.

Nadia Padovani Gresini, Team Owner: “We’re finally presenting a project we strongly believed in and one we have been working non-stop for during the last year. We’re very motivated and we ended up being the first MotoGP team to present itself; plus, I believe our bikes are beautiful – and I hope all the others will like them, too. 

I would like to think Fausto is looking at us from above and that is proud of his family. There is almost no distinction between natural and work families, we’re one. I must say that I saw both Diggia and Enea in great shape and eager to start: we’re aiming at being among the protagonists and show up at the parc fermé sometimes.”

Quotes from MotoGP