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Francesco Bagnaia âfeeling fastâ for the first time in 18 months in MotoGP
TL;DR
Francesco Bagnaia reports feeling fast on his MotoGP bike for the first time in 18 months after the recent French Grand Prix. His previous struggles in the 2025 season may have led to a breakthrough.
Key points
- Francesco Bagnaia felt fast for the first time in 18 months
- This breakthrough occurred at the French Grand Prix
- Bagnaia struggled in the 2025 season, finishing no higher than ninth
- Ducati's competitive decline has affected his performance
- Aprilila has become the new benchmark in MotoGP
Francesco BagnaiaDucatiMotoGPAprilia
Motorsport photo
Francesco Bagnaia says last weekendâs French Grand Prix marked the first time he had âfelt fastâ on a MotoGP bike since 2024, suggesting he may have had a breakthrough.
Bagnaiaâs well-documented 2025 struggles carried into the start of the current season, with the Italian failing to finish higher than ninth in a Sunday race across the opening four rounds.
Ducatiâs competitive decline added to his troubles, with Bagnaia and his team-mates finding it increasingly hard to take the fight to MotoGPâs new benchmark Aprilia in 2026.
However, a positive in-season test at Jerez appeared to represent a clear step in the right direction, a trend that was carried into Le Mans last weekend. After putting his factory Ducati on pole position in qualifying, Bagnaia claimed a podium in the sprint and was running second in the grand prix until he crashed at Turn 3.
Footage of the aftermath circulated on social media, showing the two-time MotoGP champion kicking a hay bale and a cone before returning to the paddock on a scooter.
Speaking at the eve of the Catalan Grand Prix, Bagnaia admitted that the frustration stemmed from what he saw as a missed opportunity to score a big haul of points and turn around his campaign.
âSurely, I need to practice my kicks a bit because I almost crashed again,â he joked, before adding: âWhen, for the first time after a season-and-a-half, you are fast fast, you are fighting for a position again, you are able to overtake and you are able to feel the limit, and you crash⊠F**k, I was really upset, and I'm still upset.â
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Q&A
What did Francesco Bagnaia say about his performance at the French Grand Prix?
Francesco Bagnaia stated that it was the first time he felt fast on a MotoGP bike since 2024.
How did Bagnaia perform in the opening rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season?
Bagnaia struggled in the opening four rounds, failing to finish higher than ninth in any race.
What challenges has Bagnaia faced with Ducati in the 2025 season?
Bagnaia faced challenges due to Ducati's competitive decline, making it difficult to compete against Aprilia, the new benchmark in MotoGP.
What implications does Bagnaia's breakthrough have for his 2026 MotoGP season?
Bagnaia's breakthrough at the French Grand Prix could signal a turnaround in his performance as he aims to compete more effectively in the 2026 season.
