Marco Bezzecchi
Neil Hodgson has pointed out exactly what Francesco Bagnaia is missing at the Italian Grand Prix, as qualifying saw Marc Marquez lead Ducati’s charge upon his return from injury.
Both races this weekend have already promised to provide a spectacle between Italy’s two MotoGP factories, with Aprilia locking out the front row, and Ducati doing the same on row two.
Marco Bezzecchi goes fastest in Q2 at Mugello! Who is your favourite to win the Italian Grand Prix?
Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi claimed his second pole position of the season at Mugello with a new lap record, and is joined by Raul Fernandez and title rival Jorge Martin at the front of the pack.
Bezzecchi’s record-setting lap was almost immediately usurped by Marc Marquez, who found it difficult to keep up with the highly physical nature of the Tuscany-based circuit’s third sector.
The Spaniard will start from P4 in the Sprint race and Grand Prix, after he, remarkably, outqualified the rest of the riders in the Ducati stable, including factory teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
- READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia calls out riders who still refuse to attend MotoGP’s safety commission meetings
Neil Hodgson thinks Francesco Bagnaia has lost his explosiveness in MotoGP
During TNT Sports’ coverage of qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix, MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson was puzzled by the lack of pace that Bagnaia showcased during his initial flying laps.
The Italian is a three-time Grand Prix winner and a previous pole-sitter at the circuit, but his grid slot of P6 was a far cry from his usual form at Mugello.
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After commentator Gavin Emmett asked if the #63-adorned bike was fitted with fresh tyres after Bagnaia’s first effort in qualifying put him in P10, three places behind Marquez’s initial lap time, Hodgson replied, “Yeah, I think it was.
“He just didn’t… He led everyone out, but he didn’t sort of attack it. We’ve seen him do that before. It looks like he doesn’t have that explosiveness, of just going out and pushing really hard. Bagnaia, through his prime, when he was super confident, was able to do that.”
Bagnaia’s form over the last 12 months for Ducati has sparked several conversations over his confidence in the sport, considering he had previously contended for a title in all of his past campaigns with the Borgo Panigale-based constructor.
With a move to the factory Aprilia outfit on the horizon for him in 2027, team ambassador Max Biaggi is expecting a ‘revitalised’ Bagnaia next season.
Sylvain Guintoli also shared concerns about Francesco Bagnaia at the Italian GP
Hodgson’s colleague, Sylvain Guintoli, also shared his concerns over Bagnaia’s performance in qualifying, offering an on-the-fence verdict for his chances in both races this weekend.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs, and even though this is his track, is he the best Ducati contender? I don’t know,” the Frenchman said. “So far, on paper, it looks like Diggia has got an edge on him.
‘It looks like Marc Marquez has got an edge on him, but let’s see if Marc can handle the bike for the whole race. With Pecco, it’s difficult. We know it’s super fast around here. We know he’s got so much experience, and the racecraft as well.
“He’s got the victories, so you can’t count him out, but so far, let’s say, I’ve not seen signs that he could go and get the win.”
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