Quirinale, Mattarella: "Italy thanks Pecco Bagnaia and Ducati"

"I fulfilled my dream and proudly carried the Italian flag".

The MotoGP world champion,

, was received at the Quirinale by the President of the Republic,

, to whom he donated an autographed helmet.

"We managed to get some fantastic results, winning us a hat-trick: Constructors title, Team title and Riders title. And the latter personally makes us really proud because it is the highest ambition in our sport and winning it as an Italian with an Italian bike makes us still prouder, considering the 50 years since the last time, when Giacomo Agostini won with MV Agusta", said the champion.

"Two weeks ago in Valencia I fulfilled my dream and in the last metres, before arriving in the pits where I celebrated with my team, I rode the lap where I proudly carried the Italian flag, because I felt this even more pride. It's a great honor to be here today. Such important results are achieved with the team, it's true that the rider is alone on the track, but without a team behind you, certain results cannot be achieved and I would like to thank you immensely." concluded Bagnaia.

Mattarella: "There will always be room at the Quirinale to celebrate these successes"

"It is a pleasure to receive Francesco Pecco Bagnaia here to thank him, to congratulate him on this success. We were saying to President Malagò that we met a year ago to celebrate Valentino Rossi's career which was coming to an end, and I think Valentino Rossi is happy to see that the success of the Italians continues. Bagnaia is young and he is a champion", said the

to the champion who triumphed with Ducati. 

"As Bagnaia said - added Mattarella - you get there because there is the work of so many people, so many professionals behind it. This year's success is particularly important, after 50 years having the Italian champion on an Italian bike is a moment particularly significant. We were saying with Malagò that once again we will meet at the Quirinale, but it is not my merit, but that of our champions, and I hope that this will continue, because there will always be room at the Quirinale to celebrate these successes".

Coni president Giovanni Malagò thanked Mattarella.

"Ducati - he said - won the constructor and the Superbike. We are very proud of Italian sport. I would also like to remember the Gold Collar given to Pecco. This result gives further prestige to Italian sport".