Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is an Italian professional motorcycle racer, born on January 14, 1997, in Turin, Italy.
At 28 years old, he has established himself as one of the premier talents in the MotoGP World Championship, riding for the Ducati Lenovo Team.
Known for his aggressive braking style, precision in corners, and composure under pressure, Bagnaia embodies the next generation of Italian racing excellence.
His journey from local minimoto tracks to global stardom highlights a blend of raw talent and relentless determination, making him a fan favorite and a formidable competitor on the circuit.
Siblings
Francesco has an older sister, Carola Bagnaia, who is just 20 months his senior, is credited with giving him his enduring nickname “Pecco.”
Carola serves as Francesco’s personal assistant, offering unwavering logistical and emotional support during race weekends.
She has shared insights into his stubborn streak, noting that confronting him often yields an initial “no,” yet her presence provides a stabilizing family-like environment amid the chaos of professional racing.
Francesco also has a younger brother, Filippo Bagnaia, born on June 7, whose quieter role in the public eye underscores the family’s emphasis on unity rather than spotlight.
Career
Bagnaia’s racing odyssey began in earnest on minimoto bikes in his native Turin, where he quickly displayed prodigious skill by clinching the European MiniGP championship in 2009 at just 12 years old.
Transitioning to pre-GP categories, he debuted in the 125 Mediterranean Championship with Monlau Competición in 2010, securing a runner-up finish, and followed it with a third-place standing in the Spanish 125cc series in 2011, complete with a race victory.
His breakthrough came in the 2012 CEV Moto3 season on a Honda NSF250R, where he again finished third overall, earning a spot in Valentino Rossi’s prestigious VR46 Riders Academy—an affiliation he maintains to this day.
Bagnaia’s Grand Prix debut arrived in 2013 with Team Italia FMI in Moto3, though the year proved challenging with zero points across 17 races alongside teammate Romano Fenati.
Undeterred, he rebounded in 2014 with the SKY VR46 team, notching multiple podiums and a best of second place.
The 2015 season saw further consistency, including a pole position and four podiums, culminating in fifth overall.
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His 2016 Moto3 campaign with the Pull & Bear Aspar Mahindra Team marked a turning point, as he claimed his first Grand Prix wins at Assen and Sepang, ending the year fourth in the standings and as the top Mahindra rider.
Elevating to Moto2 in 2017 with SKY Racing Team VR46, Bagnaia earned Rookie of the Year honors with several podiums.
The following year, 2018, he dominated, securing the Moto2 World Championship with eight victories, 12 podiums, six poles, and a staggering 306 points—clinching the title a race early in Malaysia.
This triumph propelled him to MotoGP in 2019 with Pramac Racing on a Ducati, where an injury-plagued rookie season yielded a promising fourth in Australia but overall 13th place.
In 2020, despite a maiden podium at Misano, he finished 16th amid crashes and COVID disruptions.
The pivotal shift occurred in 2021 upon joining the factory Ducati Lenovo Team alongside Jack Miller.
Bagnaia started strong with a pole in Qatar and podiums in the opening rounds, then unleashed his first MotoGP win at Aragon—defending against seven late charges from Marc Márquez—followed by another at Misano.
He ended the year as runner-up, leading more race laps than champion Fabio Quartararo.
His 2022 resurgence was legendary: after a slow start and a Sachsenring crash leaving him 91 points adrift, Bagnaia won seven of the final 10 races, including a dramatic Valencia finale, to snatch the title.
Defending in 2023, he repeated as champion with consistent excellence.
In 2024, Bagnaia added 11 victories, narrowly missing a third straight crown but solidifying his elite status.
Now in 2025, he continues with Ducati, facing fresh challenges like a high-profile teammate, while his career trajectory points toward further dominance.
Accolades
Bagnaia is a three-time world champion: securing the 2018 FIM Moto2 Grand Prix World Championship with unmatched dominance—eight wins, 12 podiums, and a record points haul—and back-to-back FIM MotoGP World Riders’ Championships in 2022 and 2023.
The 2022 title stands as a testament to resilience, marking the first for Ducati in 15 years, the first for an Italian since Valentino Rossi in 2009, and the first premier-class crown for any VR46 Academy graduate.
His 2023 defense further cemented this legacy, while 2024 brought 11 MotoGP victories, pushing his career win tally in the class to over 20.
Earlier accolades include the 2009 European MiniGP Championship, a runner-up in the 2010 125 Mediterranean Championship, third in the 2011 Spanish 125cc Championship, and third in the 2012 CEV Moto3 season.
In Moto3, he notched two Grand Prix wins in 2016, four podiums in 2015, and Rookie of the Year in Moto2 in 2017.
Bagnaia’s accolades extend beyond titles: he holds multiple pole positions, lap records—like the all-time Aragon mark in 2021—and the distinction of being the only rider to win the MotoGP crown after five DNFs in a season.
With over 30 Grand Prix podiums across classes and a reputation for historic comebacks, such as overcoming a 91-point deficit in 2022, Bagnaia’s honors not only reflect individual prowess but also elevate Ducati and Italian motorsport on the world stage.
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