To be crowned, Bagnaia, 9th at the finish, only needed a 14th place behind the 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, his last rival for the title, who absolutely had to win. The Frenchman finished 4th in the race.
With this title, “Pecco” becomes the first Italian MotoGP champion since legend Valentino Rossi in 2009 – under whom he trained – and the first Ducati titled rider since Australian Casey Stoner in 2007.
He is also the first Italian to win on an Italian motorcycle since another legend, Guiacomo Agostini, who in 1972 won his 12th world championship title with MV Agusta.
On the Ricardo Tormo circuit, Alex Rins, who started in 5th position, offered Suzuki a final victory before the team left the championship.
After a solid start, the Spaniard quickly took the reins of the race and never let go.
South African Brad Binder (KTM) and Spanish poleman Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) complete the podium for this 20th and final round of the season.
