Will the product that Marc Marquez used help Pecco Bagnaia make a comeback at Le Mans 2025?

As the 2025 MotoGP season intensifies, all eyes turn to Le Mans, where reigning World Champion Pecco Bagnaia is looking to reignite his title defense. After a tough start to the season and a podium finish in Jerez that came partly due to Marc Marquez’s crash, Bagnaia is under pressure to deliver a decisive statement—and he may be doing so with the help of a controversial component: a technical upgrade first tested and used by his teammate Marc Marquez.

The burning question is: Will the Ducati modification inspired by Marc Marquez provide the edge Pecco Bagnaia needs to bounce back at Le Mans and retake control of the title race?

Let’s break down the details of this upgrade, Bagnaia’s struggles, and whether Le Mans could be the moment he turns his season around.

Pecco Bagnaia: Searching for Stability Amid Pressure

Pecco Bagnaia’s 2025 campaign hasn’t followed the blueprint of a reigning champion. Despite flashes of brilliance and undeniable speed, his season has been marked by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and a rising threat from inside Ducati itself—Marc Marquez.

At the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, Bagnaia managed to salvage a podium thanks to Marquez crashing out, but it wasn’t a dominant showing. He admitted he struggled to overtake and lacked the outright pace needed to win outright, a concern that’s been echoed across multiple race weekends this season.

Now 20 points behind championship leader Alex Marquez, Bagnaia knows he can’t afford another flat performance. That’s why the new product tested in Jerez—which originated from Marquez’s setup—could be pivotal.

A Ducati Upgrade That Could Make the Difference

Bagnaia recently revealed that a key component tested at Jerez—a device already used by Marquez—will now be installed on his GP25 bike for Le Mans. The specifics of this component remain unconfirmed, but many believe it to be a new swingarm, or possibly a revised aerodynamic package.

Speaking after the Jerez test, Bagnaia was cautiously optimistic:

“We brought a product that we will use at Le Mans. It’s something Marc already used. I removed it after testing in Thailand because I didn’t feel it clearly, but I’m happy I tried it again. It felt better.”

This signals a significant shift in attitude. Earlier in the season, Bagnaia dismissed the upgrade after an inconclusive test. But now, with more development and feedback—primarily from Marquez—the reigning champ is ready to give it a second chance.

The Marquez Influence: Innovation Through Rivalry

Marc Marquez’s move to the factory Ducati team has already reshaped the power dynamics inside the garage. Known for pushing boundaries and adapting quickly, Marquez has helped fast-track development with his aggressive testing style and detailed feedback.

According to Davide Tardozzi, Ducati provided one of its factory riders with a new swingarm during the Jerez test—believed to be the same one Marquez had already adopted earlier.

This is where the intrigue deepens. Bagnaia admitted:

“Marc is using a different one. I tried it, didn’t like it, and returned to my previous version. But in the future, another swingarm might come. Maybe that one will fit me better.”

This suggests that while Marc Marquez has embraced newer hardware, Bagnaia has remained conservative—until now. With championship momentum slipping, Pecco seems more willing than ever to explore setup philosophies pioneered by his biggest rival.

Pecco Bagnaia’s Jerez Test: Two Key Discoveries

While Bagnaia was tight-lipped about the exact findings, he did confirm that his Jerez post-race test yielded two crucial insights that could make a difference in the championship battle.

“We found two things that will help. I’m not saying what they are, but I’m confident.”

That cryptic optimism comes at a crucial time. Ducati is offering more technical freedom than ever before, and internal development rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez is spurring innovation. Pecco’s decision to revisit previously dismissed components—especially ones validated by Marc—shows a strategic shift.

In MotoGP, adaptability is often the trait that separates good riders from great champions. Is Bagnaia finally adapting fast enough to fend off Marquez’s rise?

Why Le Mans 2025 Is a Crucial Litmus Test

Bagnaia has historically struggled to start race weekends fast. His Fridays are often marred by setup uncertainty, which puts him on the back foot for Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race. In contrast, Marc Marquez thrives under changing conditions and has shown an ability to push even without a perfect setup.

That’s why Le Mans—famous for its unpredictable weather and technical layout—represents a make-or-break weekend.

If Bagnaia can leverage the new upgrade and iron out his Friday inconsistencies, he may not only rebound in the championship but also reclaim psychological ground from Marc Marquez. However, if he continues to falter or fails to adapt to the revised setup, it could cement Marquez as Ducati’s true alpha moving forward.

Can the Ducati GP25 Now Meet the Demands of Bagnaia’s Style?

The Ducati GP25 is a technical marvel—fast, aerodynamic, and loaded with innovation. But its baseline characteristics seem to favor Marquez’s hard-braking, aggressive turn-in style more than Bagnaia’s smoother, flowing cornering approach.

With the new component tested at Jerez, there’s a possibility that Ducati engineers are bridging that gap. Bagnaia’s decision to reintroduce a product he once rejected implies the setup has evolved—possibly through adjustments to chassis flex, rear grip modulation, or load distribution.

If the GP25 now better suits his feel and rhythm, Bagnaia could rediscover the dominant form that won him two world titles. And if so, the rest of the field—including Marc Marquez—will have a fight on their hands.

Is Bagnaia Finally Filling the Missing Piece?

Earlier this season, Ducati insiders hinted that Bagnaia was still missing “one puzzle piece” to become unstoppable. His pace wasn’t the problem—it was his inability to extract performance early in race weekends, to manage battles in the pack, and to adapt under pressure.

The Jerez test may have given him that missing link. Whether it’s in the swingarm, electronics, or aerodynamic mapping, Bagnaia believes he’s found something substantial.

But belief must be followed by execution.

Final Thoughts: Will the Marquez-Inspired Setup Ignite Bagnaia’s Comeback?

So, will the product Marc Marquez used help Pecco Bagnaia make a comeback at Le Mans 2025?
There are plenty of reasons to think it might.

Bagnaia is no stranger to responding under pressure. He’s shown time and time again that he thrives in adversity. But this season has introduced a new kind of stress—not from outside competitors, but from inside his own garage.

By embracing innovation he once doubted—and following a developmental trail blazed by his teammate—Bagnaia is proving that he’s willing to evolve.

Le Mans will reveal whether that evolution is enough.

If the Ducati upgrade clicks and Bagnaia finds confidence early in the weekend, expect a revitalized Pecco to challenge for the win. But if the issues persist, and Marc Marquez continues to rise, Ducati may soon face a new internal championship hierarchy.