Neil Hodgson has heard Francesco Bagnaia tell Marc Marquez something ‘disturbing’

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Marc Marquez has dethroned Francesco Bagnaia as the top dog at Ducati in the 2025 MotoGP season, with the Spaniard counting down the days until he secures the title.

While Marquez cannot win the 2025 riders’ title at Misano, he can leave this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix with his first match point in the 32-year-old’s championship duel with his brother Alex Marquez. Marc holds a 182-point lead over the 29-year-old after 15/22 rounds.

At present, the earliest that Marquez can win the 2025 title is in the Motegi Sprint Race. The Spaniard will need to win the Misano Sprint and San Marino GP this weekend, as well as the Sprint Race at the Japanese Grand Prix to seal the title at what is his current earliest chance.

Marquez can no longer set the record for winning the title at the earliest point of a MotoGP season. Valentino Rossi holds the record after he won the 2002 title after 12 of the 16 races (75%), while Marquez can only lift the 2025 title at the 17th of this year’s 22 rounds (77.2%).

Francesco Bagnaia admitting his confidence issues to Marc Marquez stuns Neil Hodgson

The 2025 season has truly been the Marquez show, no matter when the Cervera native joins Rossi as a seven-time MotoGP champion. Marquez arrived at Misano boasting 14 Sprint and 10 Grand Prix wins this year, while his Ducati teammate Bagnaia has just one Grand Prix win.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

Bagnaia told Marquez that “I’m losing more and more confidence” at the Catalan GP, too, as it has been one of the main reasons why the Italian is struggling so much this year. Marquez responded by advising Bagnaia that “it will be better” if he sees every round as a fresh start.

But Neil Hodgson found it “sad” and “disturbing” to hear Bagnaia admit to Marquez that he is struggling for confidence. It is not an admission that the 2003 World Superbike champion believes any rider should admit to their teammate, who is also always a racer’s biggest rival.

“Ducati put out some behind-the-scenes footage of Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez in the back of a car,” Hodgson has told TNT Sports. “Pecco was talking to Marc, saying, ‘Every time I ride the bike, I lose more confidence’.

“It was really sad to see that because it’s one thing feeling that or saying it to your wife or your team, but to say it to your teammate, it is almost disturbing.

“This sport has always been about beating your teammate. You’ve always got to beat your teammate – it’s your direct comparison on the same bike. You never show weakness to your teammates. So, to see that, and for Ducati to put it out, surprised me.”

Francesco Bagnaia leaning on Marc Marquez shows just how much he is struggling

While Hodgson was “surprised” to hear the comments, Bagnaia wants to learn “everything” he can from Marquez. The Italian can see the benefits of opening up to the Spaniard, even if they are teammates, as they are each “intelligent riders” with a lot of knowledge to impart.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

It is even a sign of just how much Bagnaia is struggling that he feels as if he needs to lean on the man who has now dethroned him as the top dog at Ducati this year. The Bologna Bullets were Bagnaia’s team having won the riders’ title in 2022, for their first since 2007, and 2023.

Bagnaia also fought Jorge Martin to within 10 points for the 2024 title, before Marquez took the second factory Ducati seat previously belonging to Enea Bastianini. Now, it is even being said that Ducati are likely to replace Bagnaia in 2027, with his contract expiring next season.