Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia on a high heading to Le Mans
The Ducati Lenovo Team heads to Le Mans this weekend on the back of a perfect one-two for Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia at Jerez, also putting the Italian into the world championship lead.
Bagnaia is the only rider so far this season to have top six finishes in all four rounds, including second places at the last two events, handing him a two-point advantage over Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.
Bagnaia qualified a competitive seventh for Pramac in the dry at Le Mans last year, but could only manage 13th in the wet race.
"I'm really excited to be back in action this weekend," Bagnaia said.
"In the last two Grands Prix, we've been able to get some good results on tracks where we've suffered in the past. I hope we will continue to be as competitive also at the next two circuits [Le Mans and Mugello], which are more favourable to the characteristics of our bike.
"Last year at Le Mans, I managed to qualify seventh, even though I struggled with the low temperatures in the early stages of the weekend. I felt strong, but the rain then disturbed my race.
"We'll see what the weather is like this weekend. My feeling with the Desmosedici continues to be very good, so I'm confident that I can do a good race also in the wet conditions".
Miller's first Ducati win has put him up to sixth in the world championship, 27 points behind his team-mate, having suffered a DNF in the previous Portimao round, where he was also riding after recent arm-pump surgery.
The Australian usually goes well at Le Mans, finishing fourth for Pramac in 2018 and 2019, then fighting for a podium last year in the wet until a late technical problem.
"I am super happy to be back racing in France this weekend!" Miller said. "Last year I had a strong French GP. I was second in qualifying and, after a good start, I stayed within the leading group. Unfortunately, with seven laps to go, I had to retire due to a technical problem.
"Winning the Spanish GP two weeks ago has definitely boosted my confidence. My feeling with the bike is good, I had no issues with the right forearm now that it has been operated on, so I am confident that I can do another good race this weekend".
