Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia is one of the most successful riders in MotoGP history, but he’s never won the Argentina Grand Prix. In fact, he’s never even stood on the podium in Termas de Rio Hondo.
Bagnaia didn’t crack the top 10 in Argentina during his Moto3 days, and he couldn’t do better than seventh in Moto2. He was 14th on his first MotoGP visit in 2019 prior to the circuit’s two-year absence from the calendar (as a result of the pandemic).
The Italian then finished fifth in 2022 amid his title battle with Fabio Quartararo. And on the sport’s most recent in 2023, he crashed from second place in wet conditions and ultimately crossed the line 16th.
Teammate Marc Marquez hasn’t raced at the venue in the 2020s after two injury absences. Before Friday, he’d never tackled the circuit on a Ducati motorcycle.
But Bagnaia’s underwhelming record suggests the Spaniard won’t be at a major disadvantage. There is already a groundswell of opinion both inside and outside the MotoGP paddock that Marquez will march to the title this year, and rider no. 63 needs to challenge that theory.
Francesco Bagnaia will be hurt by fans flocking to Marc Marquez at Argentina Grand Prix
Speaking during TNT Sports’ coverage of FP1 at the Argentina Grand Prix, pundit Neil Hodgson shared a potentially significant observation from the MotoGP paddock. He noticed that fans were immediately flocking to Marquez’s area.
This isn’t a surprise in itself. He’s by far the most decorated and best-known rider on the grid with six premier-class titles to his name.
Valentino Rossi stoked hostility to Marquez among Italian fans, but at most venues he has the biggest following. Hodgson fears this may be eating away at Bagnaia.
The 28-year-old will feel that he deserves more adulation given what he’s achieved. But now that Marquez is back on a winning motorcycle, ‘no-one’ wants his autograph.
“I noticed this earlier,” Hodgson said. “I went for a wander round the paddock. There are already quite a few fans floating around. They are all around Marc Marquez’s area.
“That plays on you as well. You’re Francesco Bagnaia. You’re a three-time world champion, two-time MotoGP world champion. You’re kind of a big deal. But you’re not when you’ve got Marc next to you.
“I’m not exaggerating, no-one wants your autograph. He’s the man, he’s the story.”
Pecco Bagnaia didn’t live up to the vow he made before the Argentina GP
More worryingly for Bagnaia, Mat Oxley says Ducati engineers are already gravitating towards Marquez. Teams often subconsciously favour their lead rider.
Marquez’s status helped him secure a Ducati spot in the first place. He went up against Jorge Martin, the eventual world champion, for the seat alongside Bagnaia and he prevailed.
Heading into the Argentina GP weekend, Bagnaia vowed to make a faster start. He’s developed a habit of struggling on a Friday before recovering later in the weekend.
He’s now beginning to understand that this isn’t sustainable against Marquez. But there was no sign of an improvement in FP1 as he finished 16th, 1.3 seconds off the Spaniard’s benchmark.
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