Francesco Bagnaia’s hopes of recovery during the MisanoMotoGP weekend suffered a severe blow when an early crash dashed his chances of a strong finish. Despite his confidence in securing a top-five result, Bagnaia ended the Sprintrace in 13th place, marking a sharp decline from his dominant performance in the previous year. His ongoing Bagnaia Ducati MotoGP struggles were evident as he grappled with both bike control and race pace in Italy.
Details of Bagnaia’s Difficult Race at Misano
The weekend unraveled for Bagnaia after he lost control of his GP25 during the ninth lap while battling for seventh position. Meanwhile, his teammate Marc Marquez seized the opportunity and fought a close battle with Marco Bezzecchi for the race lead, eventually claiming victory. Bagnaia’s visible frustration and disappointment deepened as he faced questions from the media and reckoned with the mounting pressure from Ducati Corse’s management.
Ducati’s Leadership Voices Concern Over Bagnaia’s Form
Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna expressed his concern regarding Bagnaia’s persistent poor form, describing the situation as “definitely delicate.” He admitted the challenge ahead, stating,
“As I’ve said many times before, we’ll have to find a way out.”
Dall’Igna acknowledged the increasing difficulty in reversing Bagnaia’s performance deterioration, explaining that once a rider enters a negative cycle, improvement becomes far from straightforward.
He also highlighted the psychological weight on the rider and himself, saying,
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“It’s very simple: once the negative spiral begins, it always goes downward. Finding a way to reverse it is always complicated.”
Dall’Igna did not shy away from admitting,
“I’ve lost my patience too, and Pecco’s fans have lost their patience too. It seems quite normal to me that someone can say these things when results aren’t coming.”
Bagnaia’s Technical Issues and Points Gap
Bagnaia has been battling recurring corner entry problems with his Ducati GP25, which have contributed significantly to his inability to finish on the podium over ten consecutive races. Currently, he trails Alex Marquez by 93 points in the battle for second place, with only an eight-point cushion separating him from Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi. These statistics underline the urgency for change as the championship season advances.
Upcoming Test at Misano Seen as Crucial Turning Point
The scheduled test day at Misano offers a vital opportunity for both Bagnaia and Ducati to experiment with bike setups and introduce new components outside race conditions. Bagnaia expressed his determination to learn from the recent crash, stating,
“I was trying to follow Diggia, then the crash happened. We need to carefully analyze what happened, especially ahead of tomorrow’s test, which will be extremely important to help us find the right direction.”
This test is seen as a key moment in addressing the mechanical and handling problems that have plagued his recent performances.
Implications for Bagnaia and Ducati’s Season Ahead
With the Asian rounds of the MotoGP championship approaching, Bagnaia’s future remains uncertain as he strives to break out of his current slump. Ducati’s management and fans are increasingly anxious to see tangible progress after a hard start to the season. The pressure on Bagnaia to regain his form and deliver consistent results is mounting, and the team’s ability to adapt quickly may determine the remainder of their campaign. Observers and supporters alike are closely watching to see if Bagnaia can overcome this difficult phase or if his struggles will deepen further.
