Ducati, Pecco Bagnaia blurts out: "It borders on madness"

The start of 2026 traces back to 2025 for Pecco Bagnaia, who after three races is just ninth overall with 25 points earned. The Ducati rider finished ninth in Thailand, tenth in Austin and retired in Brazil. The only ray of sunshine was a second place in the Sprint race at the Gp of the Americas.

In an interview with ‘The BSMT’ podcast, the two-time MotoGP world champion explained how even off the track the air has become tense, and the rider complained especially about the media and the press, which he said publish untrue information: “In my opinion, unfortunately lately the media is bordering on madness. It is a constant hunt for scandals and controversies. Whatever you say, they will twist it to their liking.”

“My first intention was to be extremely transparent, but in doing so I became prey to journalists and sometimes made mistakes. There were times when maybe I made a mistake in rushing too much in post-race interviews. There are 10, 12 TV channels, you go to the press area and there are 15 reporters, they all ask you the same question. In the first answer you’re more diplomatic, in the second a little less, you end up saying everything,” Pecco confessed.

Especially last season after the Austrian GP Bagnaia had said he was losing patience with Ducati, a phrase he later regretted: “That was one of the times I made a mistake. Then it went viral.”

In the coming weeks Bagnaia is expected to announce his move to Aprilia in 2027: he will be replaced by Pedro Ascosta in the official Ducati team.