Francesco Bagnaia seized a vital moment at the Misano test to tackle ongoing corner entry problems, giving Ducati a renewed sense of direction just before the season’s closing events. After a difficult home Grand Prix where he finished 13th in the Sprint and crashed out while running seventh in the main race, Bagnaia faced significant pressure to improve. His performance at Misano suggested a turning point in his campaign.
Completing the test day in sixth position, Bagnaia outpaced notable rivals including his teammate Marc Marquez, who ended eighth overall. Reflecting on the day, Bagnaia shared cautious optimism:
I’m quite happy because we were able to focus more on this year’s package. I have to say it’s not easy to figure out which direction to take because, unlike in the past, you have to look elsewhere for performance,
Francesco Bagnaia.
Experimentation and Speed Marks Progress at Misano
With less pressure than during race weekends, Bagnaia and Ducati’s technical staff had the chance to try multiple setups, extensively adjusting the bike’s weight distribution. This approach led Bagnaia to feel confident about their newfound direction.
Despite experiencing a crash at Turn 1 late in the session, Bagnaia demonstrated substantial speed. He managed to record a lap nearly a full second faster than his best during the recent Grand Prix, remarkably on worn tires. He acknowledged this improvement:
I was quite competitive. In terms of pace, I was super fast. I did the best lap time with 21 laps on the tires, something I wasn’t able to do in the last races,
Francesco Bagnaia. He added,
It’s true that this track is helping me a bit, but apart from the crash, it was a very good day.
Teamwork with Casey Stoner Boosts Confidence
Adding to Bagnaia’s encouragement at Misano was the close involvement of former Ducati world champion Casey Stoner, who provided expert assistance both on and off the track. Bagnaia expressed enthusiasm about having Stoner’s input:
This morning when I arrived, I saw Casey working on the bike!
Francesco Bagnaia. He further explained,
It’s fantastic to have this kind of relationship with him. They have an incredible eye; they already knew what I felt on the bike, so it was great to have this kind of feedback also from another point of view.
What Lies Ahead in the Championship Battle
The championship standings remain tightly contested, with Bagnaia trailing his leading teammate and Gresini’s Alex Marquez, while holding just an eight-point advantage over Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia in the fight for third place. This intense competition places extra weight on Bagnaia as the season progresses.
Looking ahead to the Japanese MotoGP, Bagnaia remains focused on carrying the momentum from Misano into the next races. On the prospects of further improvements, he stated,
We’ll see. I think some solutions will definitely work, while others will need to be explored in more detail in Japan,
Francesco Bagnaia.
With Ducati’s team support and Casey Stoner’s expert guidance, Bagnaia’s breakthrough at Misano could prove decisive in overturning his recent struggles. The MotoGP world awaits eagerly to see if this promising progress translates into strong performances on Japan’s challenging circuits, potentially shaping the championship’s late stages and Ducati’s overall comeback this season.
