Michele Pirro reveals the big ‘opportunity’ Francesco Bagnaia has with Marc Marquez at Ducati in 2025

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Francesco Bagnaia finally recovered some ground in the MotoGP title race after a patient performance to take his first victory of 2025 in Texas.

The two-time champion had been completely outshone by new teammate Marc Marquez during the opening two events and had no answer for his speed.

With no excuses to hide behind on Ducati’s dominant bike, the onus was and is on him to make sure that he extracts enough pace on track.

Bagnaia trails championship leader Alex Marquez by just 12 points now, after predicting that Marquez would crash.

With 19 MotoGP races left to go this season, there is plenty of racing left. The next few circuits begin to suit the Italian rider more than anyone else on the grid.

Bagnaia has a strong bond with Marquez despite their alpha-male mindsets. One of them is going to have to win the title this year, and it could go right down to the wire.

READ MORE: Ducati may have hidden one critical piece of information from Francesco Bagnaia at Americas Grand Prix

Francesco Bagnaia has the ‘opportunity’ to compete against Marc Marquez at Ducati

Taking victory at the Grand Prix of the Americas was an important step for Bagnaia, whose confidence appeared to be plummeting beforehand.

Arriving in COTA, he hit the track and showed some great pace at one of his teammate’s most formidable circuits.

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro, who knows both riders well, has discussed the prospects on the table for his team this season, including Bagnaia.

“Its value is undeniable. Motorsport has recovered a talent. I think it’s also an opportunity for Pecco, who has the talent to compete with Marc,” he told Moto.it.

The belief in the 28-year-old still exists within his team, despite being so far off the pace early in 2025. They know it may take some extra time for him to adjust.

Bagnaia admitted it will take years to digest 2024 after a tough defeat to Jorge Martin in the riders’ championship. He missed out by just 10 points, despite winning eight more Grands Prix.

READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia should demand Ducati investigation after post-race Marc Marquez conversation

Why Francesco Bagnaia has the upper hand for the rest of the 2025 MotoGP season

Heading into the Grand Prix of Qatar, Marquez is under some pressure for the first time this season to deliver a strong response.

He cannot afford to let Bagnaia build any momentum or he may be able to build enough confidence to get within reach of competing for victory at most circuits. It would provoke on-track battles.

Bagnaia felt ‘angry’ at Ducati for his start to 2025, but he now has an opportunity to restamp some authority down at the team. Just in case anyone forgot what he can be capable of.

If anyone benefits from this, it’ll be the fans who face the prospect of two of the greatest riders of this era going head-to-head for top honours, joined by the younger Marquez, who has been the surprise of the season.