Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia’s second victory of the 2025 MotoGP season was overshadowed by teammate Marc Marquez’s seventh title celebrations at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The inevitable declaration of the champion has been in the wings for months. Marquez hasn’t had much, if any, competition for the majority of the campaign, and now walks away from Motegi with another crown to add to his collection. He has only proven Ducati’s decision to sign him to be a very good one.
Now the oldest champion in MotoGP’s history books, the Spaniard will set about extending that record and achieving an eighth title in 2026. Following the Japanese Grand Prix, he still has five races to go before the curtain is drawn on the season, which can effectively be treated as test sessions if he would like.
Marquez overcame a hurdle ‘no one’ expected him to by beating the younger generation once more to reign supreme. However, Bagnaia won’t like what Marquez said about ‘the winner’ in Motegi, after an admission that people will only remember his title celebrations.
MotoGP fans say Ducati ‘robbed’ them of a Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez title fight
Even though Bagnaia is the odd one out on the 2025 grid, he won’t be fussed one bit after his performance in Japan. Even though he won in COTA earlier in the season, it wasn’t on merit and relied on a mistake from Marquez.
This time, he dominated all weekend and reminded everyone, including his fans, of just how good he can be. His passionate fanbase took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their views on his position at Ducati after an important win.
“We were robbed of a title fight… maybe next year,” detailed one response, while another agreed with the sentiment, “Finally, Ducati gave him the same bike as Marc, and surprise, surprise, he eclipses him.”
Others were a little more positive, adding, “Brilliant from Pecco to keep his composure and win this race. Welcome back to winning ways!”
“He literally rode the life out of his bike. Maybe this will help him with his confidence, provided the engine is ok,” commented another fan, who is wary of the Italian rider’s engine woes, which occurred late in the race.
The smoke which came from his exhaust worried his team, but Bagnaia had no idea about it. Another fan added, “Pecco literally smoked the competition.”
And finally, one last response said,” This is Pecco. If you give [him] what he wants. He’ll give you what you want.”
READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia admits he was ‘scared’ after one thing he experienced at the Japanese Grand Prix
How Francesco Bagnaia managed to turn a page in his 2025 MotoGP season
Sometimes, another pair of eyes is all that is required to fix a situation. For Bagnaia, it appears that may have been the case.
After a test at Misano last week, where two-time champion Casey Stoner was on hand for some assistance, he has found some pace.
And it’s not like he found a minimal margin. All of a sudden, he has the GP25 chiming sweetly, and just in time to defend his top-three spot in the standings.
Bagnaia’s revival doesn’t ‘worry’ Alex Marquez, but it might do if he wins the next race in Indonesia as well. As proven by the likes of Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta in 2025, gaps can shrink very quickly.
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