MotoGP: Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin join Pramac Ducati for 2021

Pramac Ducati have confirmed the signings of Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin for the 2021 MotoGP season.

Zarco moves up to the satellite team after an impressive season on a GP19 with the Esponsorama Racing squad and will be rewarded with a factory-spec machine next season.

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The Frenchman secured pole position for the Czech Grand Prix at Brno, which he then converted to a podium. He achieved this despite having to take a long lap penalty during that race.

It’s believed that Ducati were looking at Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia for a spot in their factory team for 2021, with the latter being confirmed this morning. He’ll line-up alongside Jack Miller once again next year. 

Meanwhile, Martin’s move to the Ducati setup has been expected for a few weeks. He won the Moto3 title in 2018 and has one Moto2 victory to his name so far. Martin was a title contender this season before being forced to miss two rounds after testing positive for Covid-19. 

“We are happy to have reached the agreement with Johann and Jorge,” Pramac Racing team owner Paolo Campinoti said. “We want to continue an important project that is giving us great satisfaction. The sporting qualities and the winning mentality of the two riders are extremely well known: expectations are therefore high. We know Johann well and we have a very positive feeling with him: the same will be with Jorge.”

Esponsorama Racing have not yet revealed who will take Zarco’s spot next season, however Moto2 title contenders Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini have both been linked to the team in recent weeks.