Marco Bezzecchi
Valentino Rossi has identified Francesco Bagnaia’s issues with rear tyre wear, and now the Ducati rider sees it as a real limitation.
The two-time MotoGP champion has been struggling for the past 18 months, lamenting his lack of feeling for the bike. 2025 was a torrid season for Bagnaia as he finished fifth in the standings with two wins and six DNFs in the last seven races.
In 2026, things have been improving, with Bagnaia grabbing three P3 finishes in the last three Grand Prix. But he is still facing issues with the Desmosedici, and he agrees with Rossi’s analysis.
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Francesco Bagnaia agrees with Valentino Rossi that rear tyre wear is a big limitation at Ducati
Back in Austin, Rossi felt rear tyre wear was Bagnaia’s ‘biggest’ problem. He only finished as high as ninth in the first five races before starting his podium streak.
But despite his run of results, the 29-year-old is finding no joy from the rear of his GP26. Speaking at Brno to Sky Italia, he explained the problem, agreeing with Rossi that the issue is a huge ‘limitation’ for him at Ducati.
He said: “We’re working hard. My team is working hard on the setup to try to tame this bike. I definitely like the front end much better now.
“But I still have a lot of limitations with grip and power delivery; I can’t ever lean on the rear. Every time I lean on it, it slips away and I lose a lot. I wear out the tyres a lot; I can’t be consistent on used tyres, and it’s a limitation I’ve never had: it’s hard to know what to do differently.
“It’s definitely not a bike that rides naturally. You have to think a lot while riding it, and it’s been like that for a year and a half, so I’m trying to adapt my riding style a lot, but when you don’t ride naturally, you struggle.”
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Francesco Bagnaia says the front of his Ducati GP26 is ‘more normal’
Bagnaia is finding more feeling from the front end of the bike, which is greatly beneficial for him in braking. He says that this year’s Ducati is ‘more normal’ at the front compared to its predecessor.
“Last year, the bike was really against my way of riding; it was impossible to brake or enter corners. This year, yes, the front is more normal, so I can do more.
“Compared to last year, I’m trying to do everything, anything, to make things better. It’s certainly true that two of the three podiums were a bit handed away, but still…”
The Italian will be hoping to continue his improved form and take the fight to the Aprilias. Giacomo Agostini is backing Bagnaia as a title contender in 2026.
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