MotoGP, Sportrik Media - MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has voiced strong support for Francesco Bagnaia as he navigates a tough 2025 MotoGP season. Consequently, Rossi highlights Bagnaia’s struggles alongside a formidable teammate, Marc Marquez, at Ducati Corse. Furthermore, despite only two wins in 19 rounds, Rossi remains confident that the three-time world champion will reclaim his winning form.
Bagnaia, a MotoGP titleholder in 2022 and 2023, has been outshone by Marquez, the 2025 champion, in the title race. Nevertheless, a brief resurgence at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he won both the Sprint and main race, followed Ducati’s use of 2024 components, like the rider height device, during the Misano test. However, subsequent pointless finishes in Indonesia and Australia underscore ongoing issues. Rossi told Sky News Italy, “Pecco is very fast, but this year he’s struggling a bit, especially alongside a teammate like Marquez.”
Rossi suggests that Marquez’s presence, combined with discomfort on the new Ducati bike, has impacted Bagnaia. Additionally, he noted, “We still don’t understand what happened, but we’re convinced Pecco will return to fighting for wins.” Therefore, Rossi’s VR46 team, which guided Bagnaia to a Moto2 title, is fully committed to resolving these challenges.
Yet, this perspective contrasts with statements from Bagnaia and Ducati. Bagnaia recently told Gazzetta dello Sport that Marquez’s presence has been “very positive,” despite initial concerns about potential disruption. Similarly, Ducati’s sporting director, Mauro Grassilli, emphasized at Misano that Bagnaia values Marquez as a teammate, with both integral to the team’s strategy. Thus, the notion of Marquez mentally affecting Bagnaia remains debated.
Bagnaia’s 2025 struggles contrast sharply with his dominance over the past three seasons, where he consistently challenged for the championship. Moreover, adapting to the new Ducati, developed with input from engineers like Gigi Dall’Igna, has posed technical hurdles. Nevertheless, his Japanese GP success indicates that minor tweaks can restore competitiveness. However, recent failures highlight the need for a sustainable solution.
From Sportrik Media’s expertise in MotoGP dynamics, we assess that Marquez’s intensity and technical adjustments may indeed challenge Bagnaia. Consequently, Rossi’s and Ducati’s support is vital for Bagnaia to regain his edge.
With Malaysia and Valencia remaining, Bagnaia has opportunities to end the season strongly. Furthermore, competition from teams like Aprilia and Yamaha intensifies the challenge. Therefore, Sportrik Media is optimistic that Bagnaia, backed by Rossi and Ducati’s technical team, will overcome these hurdles. Ultimately, fans can anticipate Bagnaia’s return to the forefront, reinforcing his status as a top-tier racer.
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