Francesco Bagnaia goals to mount a severe problem to dominant Ducati Lenovo team-mate Marc Marquez as MotoGP returns to Jerez, the place Bagnaia has been victorious within the final three Spanish GPs.
The double world champion arrives third within the standings behind each Marquez brothers, with Alex at present 9 factors forward and Marc storming to an extra 17-point benefit after profitable seven of the opening eight rounds.
However Bagnaia, who memorably edged out Marc in a detailed battle at Jerez final yr that left tyre marks on the Spaniard’s leathers, believes 2025 calls for one other step up in efficiency.
“This time I’ve to do a step,” Bagnaia mentioned on Thursday. “I really like the monitor and the final three GPs right here had been very good. Final yr the battle with Marc was intense, however this yr he’s feeling higher and his competitiveness is elevated. So I would like to lift my stage once more.”
Regardless of Marquez’s imperious kind, Bagnaia insists he nonetheless believes in his personal potential to struggle for victory.
“I consider that I can struggle, I can battle for the win,” he mentioned. “The potential I’ve is sweet sufficient to struggle, however Marc is doing the whole lot completely. To beat him, you should be a step in entrance – and even then, it’s nonetheless troublesome.”
Bagnaia additionally acknowledged that his team-mate is in a robust sufficient place that he doesn’t have to take dangers each weekend.
“Marc is in a state of affairs the place he is aware of he can even end second with out risking an excessive amount of,” he added. “However he’s a rider that usually doesn’t wish to end second. If I win, it’s additionally as a result of the enhancements we’ve made are beginning to work.”
Whereas Ducati’s dominance continues – now inside one win of equalling Honda’s premier class document of twenty-two consecutive Grand Prix victories – Bagnaia pointed to 2020 because the turning level for the Desmosedici’s earlier struggles at Jerez.
“This development has modified in 2020,” he defined. “It was my second season, and we began engaged on particulars. I used to be utilizing a totally completely different engine brake setting than Dovi and began to be aggressive. Typically it’s extra in regards to the rider and adaptation.”
Requested if he would possibly profit from a rising rivalry between the Marquez brothers, Bagnaia downplayed any tensions, however acknowledged the importance of their kind.
“They’re brothers and they’re combating for a tremendous goal – to win the title,” he mentioned. “Alex is doing a unbelievable job to equalise the efficiency each weekend. I don’t assume they’ll begin to argue… they’ll simply focus on it at residence.”
As for qualifying – after a crash in Qatar left him eleventh on the grid – Bagnaia mentioned he has no plans to grow to be extra cautious.
“Qualifying is the one second the place you possibly can push on the restrict,” he mentioned. “You want that lap. However I can’t change my perspective. I’ll push like all the time.”
Like Marc Marquez, Bagnaia can have new elements to strive for the GP25 in Monday’s post-race take a look at.
However the Italian made clear he’s not searching for dramatic adjustments on a machine he believes may win each race this yr – and proceed to dominate MotoGP till at the least the 2027 laws.
