Image: Supplied.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Franceso Bagnaia will run the number one plate this season, vowing ‘to do everything I can to keep it’ as the Ducati Lenovo Team livery was officially unveiled for the 2023 season.

Clinching both the constructors’ and riders’ world championships last year, Ducati enters its 20th season in the premier class of grand prix motorcycle racing with the line-up of Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini for its factory effort.

In a thrilling second half of the 2022 MotoGP season, Bagnaia delivered the greatest comeback in the history of the championship to overcome a 91-point deficit to Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Winning the title of the final race of the season at Valencia, Bagnaia now has his goals firmly set on successfully defending the number one plate.

“My winter break was shorter than usual because of all the commitments after winning the world championship, but now I am charged up and eager to start the season,” Bagnaia explained. “I have missed the Desmosedici GP and my team, and I can’t wait to get back on track. I could not decide whether to continue using the number 63 or switch to the number 1, and in the end, I decided on the latter.

“Seeing it on the bike is beautiful, and now my goal will be to do everything to keep it. It won’t be easy because I expect even tougher competition than last year, with many rivals ready to fight for the title: however, I am aware that I have the best bike and team to aim high again in 2023. Thanks again to all of Ducati and my team! I am ready to resume our adventure together.”

Bagnaia will be the first rider to use number one in the premier class in a decade, with 2012 the last time the number was used in MotoGP courtesy of Casey Stoner on the Repsol Honda.

The Aruba.it Racing- Ducati team also uncovered its livery for the upcoming season, with defending Superbike world champion Alvaro Bautista to run the number one plate, joined by Michael Rinaldi once more in the team.