MotoGp, Ducati: Pecco Bagnaia has a fixed thought
Pecco Bagnaia experienced a complicated 2025 season, perhaps the most difficult since he has raced in MotoGp. Recovering from two consecutive world titles and a 2024 that nevertheless closed with outstanding numbers (11 wins, 16 overall podiums and 7 successes in the Sprints), the Ducati rider had set out with the goal of regaining the crown lost to Jorge Martin (another centaur whose 2025 was totally forgettable) and reaffirming his role within the team, also in light of the arrival of Marc Marquez. Things, however, took a different turn and, while Marquez dominated the championship by winning his seventh title in the premier class, Bagnaia struggled to find the right feeling with the Desmosedici GP25.
The victories in Austin and Motegi remained isolated episodes in a year marked by technical difficulties and more than one failure to qualify directly for Q2. In the end, the tally speaks of just two wins and eight Sunday podiums, with a fifth place finish in the standings that left a bitter taste in the mouth of Bagnaia himself, before that of his fans. More than once, the Piedmontese champion admitted that he found himself in a new situation, going from years when the worst result could have been a third place to a season when even getting on the podium seemed like a’feat, all while Marquez dominated the scene.
The three-time world champion explained more than once how he was forced to revise his goals: if before a good weekend meant winning, by 2025 a top-five finish had become a source of satisfaction, albeit mild. In a recent interview, Pecco had been clear on this point of view as well: “The best advice I received was to enjoy the moment, forget the problems and change perspective. Accepting that I did not feel good on the bike was difficult, but learning to find something positive anyway helped”. Despite the shadows, however, Bagnaia looks to the future with the knowledge that he can return to prominence.
The end-of-season tests in Valencia have in fact delivered positive indications: “The feeling is different, with this new bike I found myself well right away– Bagnaia had told Sky Sport at the conclusion of the long timed session on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo -. I tried different solutions, the times and the pace were good, I am satisfied with how it went”.
“I also tried a time attack with soft tires towards the end, but I had a small problem– had then added the Piedmontese rider -. In any case, we worked on mappings and fairings, not on times. I will go on vacation in a better mood than I was in after the last race: I think the base is very good”.
