Martin pinpoints potential cause of Bagnaia’s MotoGP woes

Jorge Martin feels his 2024 title rival Francesco Bagnaia is lacking the confidence in Ducati’s MotoGP bike this season after following him closely in the Catalan Grand Prix sprint.

Having already endured two tough weekends in Austria and Hungary following the summer break, factory Ducati rider Bagnaia hit a new low point in Barcelona as he struggled to 14th place in Saturday’s half-distance race.

It followed the two-time MotoGP champion qualifying a distant 21st on the grid, only ahead of injury returnee Maverick Vinales, wildcard Lorenzo Savadori and 2025 rookie Somkiat Chantra.

Bagnaia has maintained that his issues stem from not gelling well with the GP25, pointing out last month that he was 12 seconds slower in the Austrian Grand Prix compared to his race-winning performance there last year.

However, with Marc Marquez continuing to win race after race, and Alex Marquez also performing strongly on the Gresini Ducati, doubts are growing over whether Bagnaia’s struggles are entirely bike-related.

Commenting on the subject, current Aprilia rider Martin said Bagnaia doesn’t have the same confidence in his bike that he showed when they battled for the 2024 title.

“It’s difficult to analyse from the outside, you have to speak with Pecco. I hope he overcomes this situation,” said the Spaniard. “But you can see from the bike that he doesn’t have any confidence. He was in front of me during the race for some corners, but it’s not the ‘same Pecco’. 

“He used to brake super hard, super difficult to overtake, and now it’s a different story. So hopefully, he overcomes this; he is a great champion, I’m sure he will do.”

Martin’s comments were echoed by Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna, who explained that Bagnaia lacks the confidence Marquez has gained by dominating the season.

“It’s more about the confidence you have in the bike, which is completely different,” he told Sky Italy.
“Marc has been doing very well since the beginning of the year, and so his confidence is growing race after race.

“The other two [Bagnaia and Fabio di Giannantonio] had some difficulties, especially at the start of the world championship, and they still need to find the confidence. This makes them struggle a bit more, especially in the early sessions.”

Saturday saw Ducati lift the constructors’ trophy for the sixth consecutive year, extending a streak that began in 2020.

When told he had almost single-handedly secured Ducati the manufacturers’ title, Marquez said he hopes Bagnaia can return to the front of the grid soon.

“Already in 2019 with Honda, it was a bit like this,” he said. “But I just try to do my maximum.

“It will be good for the team and for the bike that Pecco comes back for the next races, because it will be important also to develop the bike for the future.”