Ducati is pleased to announce the launch of the official Ducati Corse eSport team. The line-up of the new squad will see reigning MotoGP™ eSport World Champion Andrea Saveri, also known as AndrewZh, attempting to defend the world title which he took last year, now as an official rider of Ducati Corse eSport.
AndrewZh confirmed yesterday his participation in the final challenge of the MotoGP™ eSport World Championship after finishing eighth in the "ProDraft" classification, and he will be part of a group of 11 gamers that will compete for the title this season.
The fit for AndrewZh in Ducati seems like it was always meant to be . Andrea was born in Bologna 19 years ago. He is a motorcycle enthusiast, and lives a few kilometres away from Borgo Panigale, and his family has always been "Ducatista".
Since his debut in the eSport World Championship, AndrewZh has been a key player each season. In 2018 he classified third, and last year he finished first, controlling a Desmosedici GP, when Ducati were yet to launch their official eSport team.
This year Ducati and AndrewZh's goal is to defend the world title, which was won last season in the final race in Valencia. In the two races held, he was able to master the pressure put on him by his rivals taking the final victory with just two points more than the gamer who finished second. Apart from following all the battles on the screens, fans will be able to find out more about AndrewZh during the season at promotional events organized by Ducati.
“Innovation, progress and technology are part of Ducati DNA, and that is why we have decided to commit in this new adventure.” Said Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti. "eSport is an entertainment platform that has grown quickly during the last years. We were already discussing this relationship with Andrea before he became World Champion in order to be able to dress him with the official colours of Ducati Corse, riding a virtual Desmosedici GP bike, for the 2020 World Championship.” Adding “We wish him good luck, and we can't wait for the new championship to begin".
"When the eSport World Championship began I couldn't have imagined reaching this goal.” Said the MotoGP™ eSport World Champion, “Becoming an official Ducati rider and wearing the colours of the squad from Borgo Panigale is a dream come true. Although it is a tough moment for the world, we were able to compete in the ProDraft. It was not easy to gain access to the final challenge, as this year the level is very high. It will be a special season, during which I hope to be able to repay all the trust that Ducati put on me by getting good results".
The 2020 eSport World Championship is set to seefour head-to-head live events between the gamers, each composed of two races.
