Pecco Bagnaia’s MotoGP comeback has injected new energy into the championship battle following his strong performance at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi. The Ducati rider, who struggled earlier this season, regained form after crucial bike adjustments were made, shaking up the competitive landscape as the season enters its final phase.
Bagnaia’s Revival in Motegi Sparks Optimism
Pecco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion, faced a challenging start to the season as he sought to rediscover the pace that once made him dominant on the Ducati GP25. Despite a difficult stretch, he achieved his first pole position since Brno and converted it into his inaugural sprint victory of the year, finishing nearly two seconds ahead of Marc Marquez. This breakthrough marks a significant turnaround in his campaign, especially given his earlier struggles in sprint races.
Following a post-San Marino Grand Prix test at Misano, where Bagnaia reportedly reverted to 2024-style forks, swingarm, and ride height device, he appeared revitalized. The technical changes seemingly unlocked the potential he had been chasing throughout the season, making his recent form promising as he prepares for the remaining eleven races.
“It’s a huge shame we didn’t get there sooner because it would have been a completely different championship for me,”
Bagnaia admitted during a Sky Italy interview.
“There are only 11 races left [combining grands prix and sprints]. But we have to look ahead; that’s the important thing.”
He also explained the significance of understanding the recent changes with his bike, noting:
“This result is fantastic for my mood, not because I’d stopped believing in it, because I’ve always said that the moment I was in a position to push I’d be ahead.”
Bagnaia acknowledged the competitiveness of the race, highlighting the narrow victory margin and the role Marc Marquez’s start played.
“It must be said that Marc got a bit bogged down at the start, otherwise it would have definitely been a battle. But I’m extremely happy,”
he said.
Technical Adjustments Behind Bagnaia’s Improved Performance
Despite the notable gains, Bagnaia remained cautious about fully revealing the specifics of his bike’s adjustments. He clarified that the bike is not a complete return to the previous GP24 model but incorporates selected parts that had not performed well in other settings, yet proved effective both in Misano and at Motegi.
“We haven’t returned to the GP24, but we’ve changed parts that haven’t worked in other situations, but here and in Misano they did,”
Bagnaia stated.
“They’re parts that Marc also has.”
This fine-tuning of technical components appears to have been key in overcoming the front-end problems that had plagued Bagnaia’s season, particularly impacting his confidence and pace in sprint races.
Reason for Delayed Discovery of the Bike Solution
Bagnaia reflected on why the fixes took a considerable time to materialize, suggesting that prior testing occurred at circuits where he had been performing solidly already, leading the team to focus on other aspects of the bike instead.
“Probably, yes, but in the end it’s always in the most difficult moments that you bring out the most things,”
he explained.
“I have to say that the tests we had this year were after Jerez and Aragon. After Jerez, I finished third in the race and was strong – the same in Aragon, where I came within two seconds of the win. So, we were focusing more on other details.”
He emphasized the importance of adapting the bike differently, stating:
“Now we’re focused on finding another Parth, different from what we had thought up until now, and it worked because I’m back to riding as I always have been able to.”
Implications of Bagnaia’s Comeback for the Championship
The resurgence of Pecco Bagnaia’s pace injects uncertainty into the championship standings as the season heads toward its conclusion. His improved performances close the gap to key rivals and suggest that he can still contend for top honors despite earlier setbacks. For Ducati and the Italian rider, the next races will be critical in capitalizing on this momentum.
Bagnaia’s recovery underscores the importance of precise technical development and perseverance within MotoGP, illustrating how strategic bike adjustments can swiftly change a rider’s fortunes. With 11 races remaining, the championship remains highly competitive, meaning Bagnaia’s renewed strength could shake up title predictions significantly.
