MotoGP researcher Marco Melandri thinks Francesco Bagnaia can see ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ after months and months of frustration with Ducati after finishing on the podium at the Italian Grand Prix.
Two-time world champion P3 made his first consecutive trip to the MotoGP podium in 12 months at Mugello. Although the Aprilia got a one-two at the checkered flag, Bagnaya He led the opening half of the race before eventually losing to tire wear.
Still, it was an encouraging performance for the Italian rider, who had collected just 13 points from the first five rounds of the Grand Prix before the start of back-to-back podiums in Barcelona.
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It’s no secret that Bagnaya has been struggling. Ducati Their illustrative recent details. Mark Marquez Last year, his teammate War and Alex Marquez were still using one-year machinery.
One Marquez’s biggest criticism of Bagnaia Referring to his riding style last year, that year’s title winner said the Italian was riding ‘stronger than ever’.
According to the former MotoGP star Marco MelandriBagnaia now seems to be back to his best on a MotoGP bike.
Marco Melandri says Francesco Bagnaia is ‘finally’ riding relaxed again.
During Melandri’s analysis of the Italian Grand Prix Box discussion podcast, he details how Bagnaia has found his footing again in the current edition of GP26, helping him to another podium at Mugello.
Having won the Italian Grand Prix on the last three occasions, the #63 was already well-connected to the Tuscany-based circuit before arriving at Mugello for the race weekend.
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“I think he’s looking better now because even though he was on the podium in the first few races last year, he was stiff on the bike – he didn’t look right,” Melandri told teammate David Valsecchi.
“Comparing to Marquez was always difficult, because Marquez was winning. But now he was the first Ducati – in other words, he was the fastest Ducati. I finally saw him look good on the bike, ride well and look relaxed, so I’d say he’s better now.”
“And he can improve, I mean in the next few races I think. He’s showing confidence because he’s starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but he’s not seeing the light coming out, now he’s seeing it coming back on, so even mentally he’s approaching it differently.
“I loved it; I loved it this weekend, and the bike is definitely struggling because everyone fell at the end of the race.”
Bagnaia’s real test will now be at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, where he could finish P9 in last year’s championship-winning machinery. Balaton Park is not a strong circuit for Ducati, suggesting that its own track record could make the difference.
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