Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning champion and Italian maestro of MotoGP, has endured a challenging 2025 campaign as he grapples with a critical issue: the Bagnaia lean angle braking crisis. Throughout the season, fans and experts have watched him struggle to recapture the confidence and skill that once made him dominant, particularly aboard his Ducati GP25 machine.
Despite moments where he appeared on the verge of a comeback—most notably during a standout performance at Motegi—Bagnaia has not managed to regain his previous edge, leaving observers questioning the source of his difficulties. While straight-line braking has remained consistent for the champion, his ability to stop the bike while leaning into corners—a defining trait of his riding style—has all but vanished.
Bagnaia Explains the Critical Difference Impacting his Performance
Bagnaia has openly discussed the technical challenges affecting his riding, sharing insights into the dramatic shift that has marked his 2025 season. Specifically, he identifies his lost capacity to brake effectively while leaning, which he considers central to his struggles. As he described,
…the biggest difference was when I was entering the corner, I had the chance to stop the bike with lean angle. And that’s something that I was missing all season, especially following others.
– Bagnaia, MotoGP Champion.
This compromised technique has become a severe limitation in actual racing scenarios, especially when trailing other riders. The slipstream, usually a strategic benefit, has instead exposed his inability to execute crucial braking maneuvers mid-corner. Bagnaia highlighted this with a candid admission:
When you’re following others, the slipstream is not helping you to stop the bike. And if you’re not able to stop with lean angle, you’re f**ked, so this was my problem,
– Bagnaia, MotoGP Champion.
Comparisons to Previous Seasons and the 2025 Downturn
Bagnaia’s difficulties stand in stark contrast to his previous form. Last year, he demonstrated mastery in controlling slides and decelerating aggressively through corners, feats that crowned him champion and set him apart from other riders. Reflecting on those times, he said,
I was able to brake with more lean angle. I was controlling a lot of slide and I was able to force a lot in the last part to reduce the speed,
– Bagnaia, MotoGP Champion. His inability to replicate that performance on the GP25 has proven decisive this season.
Despite claiming two Sprint victories and two Grand Prix wins in 2025, the toll of his lean angle crisis is clear. The season’s relentless challenges have led to a dramatic slide in the championship standings, with Bagnaia now sitting fifth. Eight non-scores in the last ten races point starkly to a broader struggle with bike adaptation and a dip in his competitive edge.
Looking Forward: Pressure Mounts as Bagnaia Faces a Defining Moment
As the season concludes under a cloud of uncertainty and frustration, pressure is mounting on Bagnaia to adapt and overcome his lean angle braking issues. The championship battle has left the world questioning whether this setback marks a turning point in his career or if he can rise once again to reclaim his former dominance.
With rivals such as Daniel Sanders making waves and teams like Honda, Pro Honda’s LCR squad, Aprilia, and Ducati all plotting their next moves, the competitive landscape of MotoGP remains as fierce as ever. Bagnaia’s journey from champion to challenger serves as a compelling narrative about the relentless demands of elite motorcycle racing, and his response to this lean angle challenge may well define his MotoGP legacy in the years to come.
