Ducati Frustrated Over Bagnaia Struggles Before Aragon Breakthrough

Why was Ducati so disappointed with Francesco Bagnaia’s performance? Heading into the 2025 Aragon MotoGP, the Ducati Lenovo factory team admitted frustration over their inability to resolve issues with the GP25 bike that hampered Bagnaia in the season’s first half. However, a technical breakthrough in Aragon delivered a third-place finish, behind Marc and Alex Marquez, who completed Ducati’s podium sweep. With Marquez leading the championship, can Bagnaia mount a title challenge?

Francesco Bagnaia, the 2022 and 2023 world champion, faced a challenging 2025 season. The GP25, designed for enhanced performance, struggled with front-end grip, particularly on low-grip tracks like Le Mans and Silverstone. Bagnaia secured only three wins from seven rounds, trailing Marc Marquez by 93 points. In the Aragon Sprint, he finished a season-worst 12th due to confidence issues with the front tire. However, in the main race on June 8, 2025, Bagnaia rebounded, overtaking Pedro Acosta for third, 0.7 seconds slower than Marquez’s fastest lap (1:46.7). The breakthrough stemmed from adjustments to electronic mapping and chassis geometry, improving bike stability.

Ducati Lenovo team manager Davide Tardozzi expressed frustration over the team’s early-season failure to support Bagnaia. “We were fed up because Pecco couldn’t show his full potential,” Tardozzi said. Aragon’s upgrades, including refined electronics and chassis tweaks, allowed Bagnaia to compete better. Marc Marquez’s race win and Alex Marquez’s second place showcased the strength of the GP24 and GP25 bikes. Yet, Marquez’s dominance intensifies pressure on Bagnaia, especially with his contract until 2028 and rumors of a Yamaha move.

Marquez’s Aragon victory extended his lead to 32 points over Alex Marquez and 93 points over Bagnaia. Ducati continues to dominate the constructors’ championship, but Bagnaia’s inconsistent form threatens his title hopes. The Aragon breakthrough offers hope, but upcoming tracks like Misano will test the GP25’s consistency. Crashes by rivals like Fabio Quartararo and Brad Binder at Aragon highlighted the circuit’s challenges.

Bagnaia faces scrutiny as the “second rider” next to Marquez, who has dominated his debut Ducati season. Speculation about Jorge Martin’s 2026 move to Honda and Aprilia’s interest in Manuel Gonzalez adds intrigue to the rider market. Despite reaffirming his commitment, Bagnaia must find consistency to challenge Marquez in the remaining races. Aragon marked a turning point, but the road ahead remains tough.

Don’t miss the 2025 MotoGP drama! From Bagnaia’s breakthrough to Marquez’s dominance, follow it all at SPORTRIK. Click now for exclusive analysis!