Francesco Bagnaia has revealed that regaining his winning form in MotoGP felt like “better late than never” after his dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi. The factory Ducati rider secured a crucial victory in Saturday’s sprint race, leading from pole position and finishing nearly two seconds ahead of teammate Marc Marquez. This win marked his first since the Americas Grand Prix in March, highlighting a significant turnaround in Bagnaia’s season.
Before this weekend, Bagnaia had struggled for results, failing to score points in Saturday races since the Czech Grand Prix prior to the summer hiatus. These difficulties attracted public remarks from Ducati’s leadership, with general manager Gigi Dall’Igna expressing impatience over the rider’s struggles, while team principal Davide Tardozzi placed responsibility squarely on Bagnaia’s shoulders for the slump.
Key Developments Leading to Bagnaia’s Resurgence
After several attempts throughout the season to find a breakthrough, Bagnaia appeared to make a genuine leap forward during a test session at Misano earlier in the month. There, he refined his approach and improved his connection with the GP25 machine, results he was able to carry into the Motegi weekend. This progress was vital for the two-time MotoGP champion, who described the weekend as a relief and a confirmation of his ability to return to top form.
“After winning two titles and finishing always in the top two and fighting [for wins] in the last four seasons, living this last period was one of the hardest moments,”
Bagnaia admitted.
“Being able again to push, to control, to do what I did during this weekend is a big relief. Not just for the result, but also for myself. I always believed, I always said to the journalists, that if I ever feel good again on my bike, I will be able to fight again for the top results.
This is the result of feeling good on the bike, and it’s great to me.”
– Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Test Improvements at Misano Proved Pivotal
Earlier in the season, Bagnaia had not been able to make the most of test sessions in Jerez and Aragon, but Misano’s test proved decisive. He finally adapted his riding style to handle the Ducati’s capabilities, which had been eluding him for months. The changes allowed him to ride with greater confidence on braking and corner entry, essential skills that helped him regain pace and consistency.
“What we did in Misano has helped me a lot, to feel good again on braking, to feel good again on entry, and [at] controlling [the bike],”
he explained.
“Before the test in Misano, I was pushing the same and not knowing if I was one tenth faster or one tenth slower. I was not riding my bike. And today, when I decided to do the pole lap, I did the pole lap. So this is what I was able to do in the past, what I learned to do in the past, and it was something that I was starting to forget. Because this season I never had this kind of chance, apart from Brno, but honestly I don’t know why I did the pole position in Brno.
“So this is great to me, and it’s also great knowing where to push. It’s always good because you know where to control. Today I did the sprint race in control, I pushed in the first laps, then I opened the gap and I arrived at 3 seconds, 2.9, and then I was controlling.
“So this is great to me, it’s great for the team, for the [mood] of the team also. The only shame is that we just needed 16 races, but it’s what it is. Better [late] than never.”
When asked about changes to his bike since the San Marino GP, Bagnaia said he noticed a significant difference in his pace.
“Honestly, I don’t really know, but a bit yes, because the difference is huge. In the test in Misano, I was riding seven tenths faster, so [it is] quite a huge difference.”
Looking Ahead: Indonesian GP as a Test for Sustained Form
While Bagnaia has broken his winless sprint streak dating back to the last race of last season, he regards the upcoming Indonesian GP as another critical occasion to validate his regained speed and competitiveness. Despite admitting that Indonesia has historically been a challenging track for him, he expressed cautious hope about defending his top positions there.
“Indonesia is a track where I always struggled a bit. It’s not one of my best, but if I will be able to fight again for the top positions, it’s great because it means that we are back to our position,”
Bagnaia said.
This MotoGP form turnaround not only lifts Bagnaia’s confidence but also boosts Ducati’s prospects as the season progresses, signaling a potential resumption of their championship challenge. His ability to reclaim winning form after a difficult period underlines the importance of adaptation and resilience in the high-pressure environment of top-level motorcycle racing.
