Carlo Pernat in awe of what he’s seen ‘up close’ from MotoGP title contender Francesco Bagnaia

Add as preferred source on Google

Francesco Bagnaia is eyeing his third MotoGP title in 2025 with Ducati.

The Italian narrowly missed out on a third consecutive championship win in 2024. Bagnaia lost out to Jorge Martin by just 10 points.

The 28-year-old won 11 of the 20 races last season, but his three retirements ultimately cost him. Martin subsequently became the first independent rider champion as he won with the satellite Ducati team Pramac.

Bagnaia will be looking to put this defeat behind him in 2025, but it seems it is still affecting him. Bagnaia even thought about his mistakes on his honeymoon with a third title so close for the Italian.

But Bagnaia will need to focus this season if he is to be triumphant. His Ducati teammate will be six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez as he moves from the satellite Gresini team.

Carlo Pernat says Francesco Bagnaia is the ‘best teammate you could wish for’

Bagnaia and Marquez combine to create what is certainly the strongest rider pairing in 2025. Many have wondered who will get the edge over the other and if the two will work well together as championship rivals.

Carlo Pernat – the former manager of ex-Ducati rider Enea Bastianini – knows first-hand how Bagnaia conducts himself. Speaking with mowmag.com, the Italian believes the 28-year-old is a ‘true champion’ and is the best teammate any rider could ask for in MotoGP.

He also stressed that it is Marquez who has to beat him, not the other way around as Bagnaia is well-established with the factory Ducati team.

READ MORE: Luigi Dall’Igna shares how Ducati sponsors felt about Pramac winning the 2024 MotoGP title

“Listen to Carlo Pernat: don’t underestimate Pecco Bagnaia, because he is a true champion. Then, for goodness sake, Marc Marquez is too and he has shown it. But in my opinion they have the exact same possibilities,” he said.

“And I think that even in the garage, contrary to what is said, they will also know how to coexist more than well. I have seen him up close as Enea Bastianini’s manager: Pecco Bagnaia is the best teammate you could wish for.

“Of course, Ducati will have its work cut out for it, but I don’t think we will see the sparks they say precisely because Bagnaia has a different profile, from this point of view, from that of the other champions as we are used to seeing them.

“And then remember: it is Marc Marquez who has to beat Pecco Bagnaia, not the other way around. Marquez has done everything to have a Ducati and win with it, now he has to succeed: he has more pressure”.

Is Francesco Bagnaia the favourite for the 2025 MotoGP title?

Bagnaia comes into 2025 as one of the main title contenders. Defending champion Martin is likely out of the picture by moving to Aprilia after being snubbed of the second Ducati seat.

Valentino Rossi backs Bagnaia for the title, but the Italian will face fierce competition from his teammate. Marquez proved he can still fight at the front by winning three races in 2024 on his way to third in the standings.

Peter Bom says Marquez will earn more respect than Bagnaia at Ducati with his ‘extreme talent’. The Spaniard will have his best opportunity to win a seventh title since leaving Honda.

But Marquez has struggled with the Ducati bike on new tyres which could give Bagnaia the advantage. All the Italian has to do is block out the errors he may last year and concentrate on 2025.