Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia suffered a knock to his wrist in his huge accident at the Catalan Grand Prix, but private Ducati footage revealed the true extent of the injury.
The Italian was not in contention for a podium in the early stages of the Catalan Grand Prix. However, on lap 12, the race took a turn for the worse as Alex Marquez suffered a horrifying accident after hitting the back of Pedro Acosta, who was having engine issues.
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The race was immediately stopped and was scheduled to resume for another 13 laps. That restart lasted up until the first corner, as Bagnaia was involved in a huge crash with Johann Zarco and Luca Marini.
Zarco clipped Marini’s rear wheel and was set hurdling into Bagnaia’s path, with the LCR rider getting trapped in his Ducati. All three riders speared into the gravel trap, with the two Italians rushing to the Frenchman’s aid.
Francesco Bagnaia could barely move after his Catalan Grand Prix crash
Bagnaia was praised for his ‘exemplary’ behaviour by the marshals as he remained by Zarco’s side until he was taken to the hospital. The Ducati rider was then taken to the medical centre himself after he sustained a huge hit.
In behind-the-scenes footage on Ducati’s official YouTube channel, Bagnaia is seen returning to the garage after his checks. He then remarks to his engineers: “I can’t move a thing.”
Despite the clear damage he had suffered, the 29-year-old continued in the race and went on to cross the line in fifth. This was quickly promoted to fourth, after Ai Ogura was penalised for taking out Pedro Acosta on the final lap.
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Later, it became third as Joan Mir was hit with a tyre pressure penalty, handing Bagnaia his first podium of 2026. He, too, was investigated, but he was the only one of six riders to avoid punishment.
Davide Tardozzi appeared unfazed by the investigation, as he said after the race: “I’m waiting… I’m very confident. The notification hasn’t arrived yet. I’m confident.” Bagnaia was less optimistic, saying: “I’m worried about it, Davide…” but that worry was ultimately for nothing.
As the team celebrated the podium, Bagnaia could not move his hand properly as he clapped. One engineer noticed this, saying: “He can’t even move, poor Pecco.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Francesco Bagnaia will monitor his wrist after Catalunya test
Bagnaia felt he probably should not have raced after his crash, admitting that he felt dizzy in the aftermath. After the Catalunya test on Monday, he said that he would look at his wrist again to make sure that he is clear to race at Mugello.
He said, via quotes from Sky Italy: “I might have to check my wrist again on Tuesday, when I fly home, because I have a feeling something’s not quite right. So we’ll try it and see.
“I will definitely do a lot of physiotherapy, focus on the positives, and not overdo it with training, because it could make things worse.
“The Mugello race is one of the most unusual; it’s similar to Austin in terms of demands, so we have to be prepared and at 100%.”
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