The news was in the air, but the official announcement still shocks the foundations of MotoGP: after eight seasons of victories and records, Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia's all-Italian collaboration with Ducati will terminate at the end of the 2026 championship. The Valencia race will be the Piedmontese rider's final outing aboard the red Desmosedici. For Pecco, the doors open to a fresh, all-Italian challenge with Aprilia, where he will work on the factory team's project alongside his friend Marco Bezzecchi. Borgo Panigale has already decided on its future direction: Pedro Acosta, a fresh talent, will join the previously confirmed Marc Marquez. Thus, a magnificent age comes to an end. The Bologna-based manufacturer's statement commemorates an exceptional growth path built on mutual trust, which in 2022 returned the riders' title to Borgo Panigale after a fifteen-year absence since Casey Stoner's epic. Bagnaia has gone from a youthful rookie in 2019 to the most successful rider in Ducati history, with two consecutive world titles (2022 and 2023), 31 victories, 11 of which came in the unforgettable 2024 championship, 62 podiums, and 28 pole positions. A perfect combination of a crystal-clear talent and a top-tier technical team that has been able to tailor Pecco's ideal bike to his abilities. Despite the stated split, the personal and professional bonds remain strong. Ducati and Bagnaia have already vowed their complete commitment to each other for the balance of the 2026 season, keen to end this historic cycle on the greatest possible note: with a victory.