‘Finally Found It! ” – Pecco Bagnaia Excited Because He Has Solved the Old Tire Puzzle

The Dutch Grand Prix weekend has kicked off with renewed confidence for Pecco Bagnaia, as the reigning MotoGP world champion showed strong form during the opening day at Assen. With solid long-run pace and strategic decision-making in the time attack session, Bagnaia believes his team has taken a clear step forward—a sentiment that could spell trouble for his rivals.

After several challenging Fridays earlier in the season, Bagnaia’s performance at the Cathedral of Speed marks an encouraging change in trajectory. In his own words, the opening day was not just positive—it was “a step in the right direction.”

Assen Friday: Bagnaia Finds New Confidence with Used Tyres

While one-lap speed often dominates Friday headlines, Pecco Bagnaia’s focus was on race pace, and the signs were overwhelmingly good. For the first time this season, the Italian expressed full confidence in his performance on used tyres, an area that has troubled him in recent races.

“It was a positive first day, we moved in the right direction,” Bagnaia told reporters.
“I’m feeling stronger on used tyres, and that’s something that hasn’t been there before.”

This is a critical development. With tire degradation playing a major role in Sunday’s results, being fast late in a race is often more valuable than securing pole. At Assen, Bagnaia’s Ducati GP24 seemed not only fast—but predictable.

Laps, Laps, and More Laps: Building Race-Ready Rhythm

Pecco Bagnaia didn’t waste time easing into the DutchGP. The Italian racked up a high volume of laps on both medium and hard compounds, sticking to a strict race simulation plan. While many riders focused on the soft rear for time attack drills early on, Bagnaia and his crew stuck to their long-game vision.

This wasn’t just about practice—it was a calculated setup approach. After recent struggles in adapting to changing track conditions, Bagnaia’s Friday routine in Assen was clearly designed to build consistency and rear grip endurance.

“We wanted to focus on the feeling over distance. From the first run, I could feel something different—in a good way.”

The result was a steady pace across multiple stints, and more importantly, Bagnaia felt at home again on the Ducati. There was no chatter, no rear instability, and far less tire drop-off than in previous rounds.

Time Attack Strategy: Bagnaia Waits, Then Strikes

When the second free practice session reached its crescendo, most of the grid bolted out of pit lane to set a hot lap. But not Pecco Bagnaia. He sat quietly in the garage, helmet on, visor down, waiting. Fans watching the timing screens began to wonder: Did something go wrong? Was Pecco going to miss the optimal window?

But behind the delay was a calculated strategy.

“We took a calculated risk. I waited longer in the pits for a clear track because I knew I could improve.”

And improve he did. When Bagnaia finally rolled out with soft rubber and clean track, his time attack lap was sharp, controlled, and executed with purpose. While he didn’t top the session, the lap placed him comfortably within the Q2 zone—mission accomplished, with no chaos.

It was a tactical masterstroke that shows how much faith Pecco has regained in his setup and bike behavior.

Assen Track Conditions: Cooler, But Still Tricky

Assen threw up typical Dutch challenges: mixed cloud cover, inconsistent grip levels, and fast wind shifts. But this time, Ducati seemed better prepared, and Bagnaia in particular appeared unbothered by the conditions.

“The conditions weren’t easy, but the bike reacted well to the changes. That’s what gave me the confidence to push more.”

In recent rounds, Bagnaia had battled with Ducati’s stiffness and lack of feel on corner entry. But on Friday at Assen, the bike looked nimble, planted, and stable, especially through high-speed changes of direction.

These are the types of corners where Yamaha and KTM have historically shone, yet Bagnaia’s split times were competitive in those very sectors—an ominous sign for his rivals.

Title Fight Context: Every Step Forward Counts

While Pecco Bagnaia is still within striking distance of the MotoGP championship lead, every session now carries championship weight. The 2025 season has been brutally tight, with riders like Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Pedro Acosta constantly pressuring Bagnaia for podium spots.

That’s why this “step forward” at the DutchGP is so significant. Bagnaia needs momentum. He needs weekends where everything clicks—and Assen could be that inflection point.

Ducati Corse technical director Davide Tardozzi hinted at changes made to the GP24’s chassis balance and rear shock setup, which may have finally unlocked the potential Pecco has been waiting for.

“We found something new in the base setting. It gives him more rear grip and feedback on the edge of the tyre,” Tardozzi said.

Saturday’s Plan: Attack for Pole, But Not at All Costs

Despite the optimism, Bagnaia was quick to clarify that Saturday’s focus won’t be a kamikaze pole mission. For him, it’s about building on Friday’s positives, not throwing them away for a single hot lap.

“If we can qualify well, great. But the real goal is Sunday. If the feeling stays like this, we’ll be strong in the race.”

Still, he knows the value of starting near the front at Assen—a circuit where overtaking is possible, but risky. Bagnaia will aim for the front two rows but won’t over-stress the bike just to chase headlines.

Team Vibes: Calm, Methodical, and Motivated

A major difference compared to earlier rounds is the energy inside the Ducati factory garage. There’s a sense of calm, methodical planning—not the rushed intensity seen when setups weren’t working.

Chief engineer Cristian Gabarrini was seen nodding along with data reviews, while Bagnaia’s body language in the garage—confident, smiling, but focused—suggested a rider in control of his weekend.

Even satellite Ducati riders, such as Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, seemed surprised by how quickly Bagnaia found comfort on used rubber—a problem that plagued all Desmosedicis earlier in the season.

The Rivals: Who’s Watching Pecco?

Jorge Martin continues to be quick over one lap, but he still appears vulnerable in long-run pace. Marc Marquez showed speed at times but suffered with rear movement late in FP2. Pedro Acosta, while fast, had several off-track moments that indicate he’s still refining setup.

Bagnaia, in contrast, didn’t need to chase the bike. It came to him. And in a field this tight, that harmony may be the decisive edge.

As qualifying looms, his rivals will surely take note—not just of his lap times, but of how easily he achieved them.

Fan Reaction: “He’s Back!” Says the Paddock

Fans and pundits alike took to social media Friday night to declare: “Pecco is back!” While one day doesn’t make a race, the signs from Assen point to a rejuvenated Bagnaia.

MotoGP legend Casey Stoner, now a paddock pundit, commented:

“When Pecco gets that calm confidence, he’s deadly. Today looked like one of those days.”

His fanbase echoed the sentiment, with hashtags like #PeccoPower and #DutchGPStrong trending on X (formerly Twitter) following FP2.

Conclusion: Dutch Delight or False Dawn? All Eyes on Pecco

The Dutch Grand Prix is far from over, and MotoGP’s unpredictability means nothing is guaranteed. But what’s clear is this: Pecco Bagnaia has taken a crucial step forward, both mechanically and mentally.

His calculated strategy, his growing trust in the bike, and his race-focused approach make him a formidable threat—not just for Assen, but for the second half of the 2025 season.

If Saturday goes smoothly, and Sunday delivers the grip he felt on Friday, Pecco could be standing on the top step again—and re-igniting his title defense in style.