Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia suffered another setback during his issue-ridden 2025 campaign, and former MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro believes the issue may run a lot deeper than just the performance of his bike.
Bagnaia finished in the penultimate spot among the riders that took the chequered flag in the Australian Grand Prix Sprint race.
Only Michele Pirro finished behind the Italian as he completed his first race for the factory Ducati team after it was announced that he would be replacing the injury-stricken Marc Marquez.
Following the completion of Friday’s practice sessions, the lack of confidence that Ducati have in Bagnaia became clear with Davide Tardozzi’s verdict that they were eyeing a podium finish for the Italian rider.
However, Bagnaia fell short of the Bolognian team’s expectations yet again, leading one former MotoGP rider to offer a new verdict on why he is struggling so much.
READ MORE: MotoGP Sprint Race results as Marco Bezzecchi wins in Australia and Francesco Bagnaia struggles
Pol Espargaro believes Francesco Bagnaia’s MotoGP woes aren’t a ‘matter of the bike’ anymore
Speaking as an analyst for DAZN following the conclusion of the Sprint race at Phillip Island, Espargaro struggled to give a verdict on the reasons why Bagnaia struggled yet again during racing conditions.
The Spaniard eventually highlighted that the issues that the Ducati rider has been experiencing must have crossed the line between his woes being solely attributed to the bike’s performance.
He said: “I don’t know, I really can’t find much of an explanation. At this point, I don’t think it’s a matter of the bike.
“I think it’s a long-standing issue, perhaps now more so, given the situation he finds himself in.
“It’s true that many elite athletes find themselves in these situations, in life in general, where everything is not perfect, it’s not all roses.
“Pecco is going through a pretty tough time, and he, more than anyone, wants this to end so he can reset. Finish, go home and come back in the preseason, because Pecco has so much more than this.”
Neil Hodgson is suspicious of Luigi Dall’Igna’s explanations for Bagnaia’s inability to adapt to the GP25.
The Italian has been adamant that not much has changed in the different specs of last year’s bike to the current one, but it’s fairly obvious considering the change in form from the 2024 title contender.
READ MORE: Neil Hodgson stunned by Marco Bezzecchi’s gesture towards Francesco Bagnaia at Australian Grand Prix
‘Tough’ talks between Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati are expected following his result in the Australia Sprint race
Ducati’s patience with Bagnaia has been wearing thin due to the continuation of his woes throughout the current term, and another pointless result in Australia is highly unlikely to repair some of the damage that has already been done.
With the 28-year-old’s seat set in stone for the 2026 season, Mat Oxley believes there will be plenty of tough meetings between Bagnaia and Ducati in the months leading up to the start of next year’s campaign.
The GP26 is unlikely to be much different, in terms of handling and performance, from the current spec GP25, largely in part to the engine freeze that Dorna have enforced for next season in anticipation of MotoGP’s new era of regulations in 2027.
That means that the testing sessions that Bagnaia will be allowed to partake in atop the GP26 will be crucial for him being able to find the same sort of confidence that helped him on his way to consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023.
The upcoming campaign will also be integral in Ducati’s decision to extend the Italian’s contract. Bagnaia’s current deal will expire at the end of 2026, meaning his results at the start of the season will be crucial.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
