Pecco Bagnaia: Working Relentlessly to Perfect Riding Feel, Aiming to Close the Gap and Secure Top Positions

As the 2025 MotoGP season unfolds with dramatic intensity, few stories are more compelling than that of Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion. While names like Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, Enea Bastianini, and Pedro Acosta have stormed into the headlines, Bagnaia is quietly — but relentlessly — putting in the work to reclaim his spot at the top.

Instead of blaming equipment, circumstances, or luck, Bagnaia has chosen to focus on refining his own performance, especially the elusive but essential feeling on the bike. For a rider of his caliber, the smallest nuances in feedback — braking precision, throttle application, front-end grip — make all the difference between winning and falling behind.

Early Season Struggles: Feeling Lost on the Bike

Despite entering 2025 with high hopes and riding the much-anticipated Ducati GP25, Bagnaia found himself struggling in the early rounds. Races at Portimao, Austin, and Jerez saw him either off the podium or unable to match the pace of the frontrunners.

“The speed is there,” Bagnaia admitted after the Portugal Grand Prix. “But I’m not feeling connected with the bike. It’s like I’m riding against it instead of with it.”

That lack of trust — particularly in corner entry, tire behavior, and chassis feedback — proved costly. While Bagnaia remained consistent, he wasn’t dominating as fans have come to expect. And in MotoGP’s current era, consistency alone doesn’t secure a championship.

Working Tirelessly With Ducati to Find the Right Setup

Behind the scenes, Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team have embarked on an intense technical campaign. Every session, every lap, and every sector time is reviewed with surgical precision. Data points like suspension compression, engine mapping, electronic assists, and tire pressure under load have all been subject to revision and experimentation.

“I need to feel the bike like I did in 2022 and 2023,” Bagnaia said. “That natural flow, that connection — it’s not fully there yet. But we’re making progress.”

He’s tested various front forks, rear shock configurations, and even reverted to older settings to find the sweet spot. In doing so, Bagnaia has shown why he is one of the most intelligent riders in the field — constantly adapting and staying proactive rather than reactive.

Sprint Races as a Crucial Testing Ground

In today’s MotoGP format, Sprint races offer not just points but invaluable feedback. Bagnaia has used these short races to test his setup under pressure, against fully committed rivals, and in real racing conditions. These sprints, though intense and risky, have served as a mini-laboratory for Ducati’s lead man.

At Jerez, for example, Bagnaia narrowly missed out on a Sprint victory to Jorge Martin, finishing within half a second. But more importantly, he felt in control — a promising sign heading into the longer Grand Prix.

“These races give me a lot of information,” Bagnaia explained. “I can push hard and see how the bike responds when we’re on the edge. That’s something practice sessions don’t replicate.”

Jorge Martin – The Man to Beat

There’s no denying that Jorge Martin has been the standout rider so far in 2025. With aggressive starts, razor-sharp overtakes, and excellent tire management, Martin currently sits atop the standings and shows no signs of slowing down.

Bagnaia, however, isn’t intimidated. “He’s doing everything right. But I’ve been in this situation before. Championships aren’t won in April or May.”

As the two Ducati riders — one in the factory team and one in Pramac Racing — go head-to-head, the rivalry is as much about strategy and mentality as it is about raw speed.

Experience and Race Craft Still in Bagnaia’s Favor

One of Bagnaia’s biggest assets remains his race craft and experience. While younger riders often burn through their tires too quickly or overcommit into corners, Bagnaia has consistently shown an ability to manage races with calm precision.

He proved this in previous seasons, especially at venues like Mugello, Assen, and Sachsenring, where his patience paid off in the final laps. This level-headedness could be the deciding factor as the season reaches its pivotal middle stage.

“We’ve got 15 more races to go,” he said recently. “There’s plenty of time, and I know how to win over a long campaign.”

Mental Strength: Staying Focused and Calm

Unlike some riders who let frustration seep in, Pecco Bagnaia remains calm under pressure. He’s not one to publicly criticize his team or make excuses. Instead, every race — even the disappointing ones — is seen as an opportunity for learning and refining his approach.

After finishing fifth in Le Mans, Bagnaia said, “I’m not happy with the result, but I’m happy with what we discovered. That’s how you improve. You need the bad days to appreciate the good ones.”

His mindset — always focused on the bigger picture — is what separates champions from contenders. And it’s a mindset that’s served him well during Ducati’s journey back to dominance.

Positive Dynamic With Enea Bastianini

Bagnaia’s teammate, Enea Bastianini, has also played an important role in Ducati’s development work. Unlike some factory team pairings where ego can get in the way, Bagnaia and Bastianini maintain a healthy, professional relationship based on mutual respect.

The two riders frequently exchange setup notes and riding impressions, giving the technical team more comprehensive feedback to improve the GP25. Bagnaia values this cooperation: “We both want to win, but we both want Ducati to win first.”

Their collaboration could be a hidden weapon against the likes of KTM, Aprilia, and Honda, who continue chasing Ducati’s overall performance.

Target: A Third Consecutive World Title

Despite the early season setbacks, Pecco Bagnaia remains laser-focused on one goal: winning his third straight MotoGP world title. Such an achievement would elevate him to the elite class of legends — joining names like Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, and Mick Doohan in the sport’s most exclusive club.

But Bagnaia knows it won’t come easy. “The margins are smaller than ever. Everyone is faster, smarter, and more aggressive. You have to earn everything.”

To do so, he’ll need to convert setup improvements into race-day victories — especially in circuits where he has historically performed well.

Upcoming Races Are Critical

The next few rounds — Catalunya, Mugello, Assen, and Sachsenring — will be crucial for Bagnaia’s title ambitions. These tracks suit his flowing riding style and reward technical precision, which plays to his strengths.

If he can close the gap to Martin and start winning both Sprints and Sunday races, the championship battle will be wide open. But if the issues with feel and setup persist, the mountain will become harder to climb.

“This part of the season will define everything,” Bagnaia said. “It’s where we either make our move — or get left behind.”

Conclusion: The Champion Who Never Settles

In a sport where milliseconds matter, Pecco Bagnaia is proving that progress is made not just with horsepower, but with heart. His refusal to settle, his technical acumen, and his commitment to constant improvement define who he is — not just as a rider, but as a champion.

While others may grab headlines with bold overtakes and wild crashes, Bagnaia’s path is different: methodical, thoughtful, and quietly lethal. And as he regains his feel on the Ducati, the paddock knows it’s only a matter of time before he’s back on top.

Because when Pecco Bagnaia feels right on the bike, there are very few riders in the world who can stop him.