Francesco Bagnaia is hoping that 2026 will bring a much-needed reset and help him get back into the Championship race.
Last year was a disaster for him and DucatiThe lack of speed in most circuits left them puzzled.
Sometimes, it seems though Bagnaya He was desperate. Who can blame his teammate when he’s on top?
Mark Marquez Coming into the new season he was a little tired, having been on the field since the beginning of October. Not only was he a bit more rusty, but he didn’t have as much input on the new bike.
Why should Luigi Daleigna design a bike that fits anyone but Marc Marquez?
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Marquez should be wary of ‘very strong’ Aprilia upgrades. When you want to put some pressure on the reigning champion.
A year later with the current team Marco Bezeci knows the ‘key’ to beat Marquez If the Spaniard goes well, it’s in terms of not putting too much pressure on himself. It’s a long season.
Read more: Marco Bezecchi reveals whether or not it’s Aprilia’s number. 1 rider chasing Marc Marquez
Franco Morbidelli thinks Francesco Bagnaia is lucky to have Marc Marquez as his team-mate
Bagnaia has an ‘excellent’ relationship with Marquez.And the two have got on well since they started working together 12 months ago.
If that time and on-track battles change, they are up for discussion, but they should be very close this season.
One of the perks of being a teammate of such a great rider is the opportunity to learn. VR46 rider Franco Morbidelli thinks he and all Ducati riders are lucky in that respect.
“Without a doubt, having a champion like Marc Marquez in your team, riding the same bike as you, is a great motivation,” reports the Spanish publication. Motorsport.com. “He’s a real inspiration, and the reason is clear: he’s always ahead and does really amazing things on the bike.
“So every day he pushes you to go above and beyond and to reach his level, if he dominates this year like he did last year, there will be no pressure.
“When you start fighting him, the pressure can come, but Mark is competing in a completely different sport, so that’s a problem we didn’t have last year.”
Read more: Massimo Rivola tells Marco Bezzicci what he ‘needs to learn’ before beating Marc Marquez.
What is the most worrying part of Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 season?
Although the first half of 2025 was difficult for Bagnaia, it was nothing compared to the rest he experienced after the summer.
Bagnaya has a ‘safety net’ for 2027. If he decides to leave Ducati and look for a fresh start elsewhere.
But the final seven races of 2025 were his most damning. He won once and retired from the other six events.
He and his team know this isn’t sustainable, and Marquez will be happy to repeat it this year. He makes the job a piece of cake.
