Bagnaia Finds Renewed Optimism After Valencia MotoGP Test Despite Late Setback

Francesco Bagnaia concluded the Valencia MotoGP test with a sense of optimism regarding the new components evaluated on his factory Ducati MotoGP bike, even after a crash cut his session short.

After describing the previous season as potentially the most challenging of his premier class career, Bagnaia initiated his preparations for the 2026 campaign with an inaugural run on the new GP26 machine.

Over the course of 50 laps at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, the two-time MotoGP champion secured the tenth position on the timesheets, a mere 0.358 seconds behind Raul Fernandez, who set the pace on the Trackhouse Aprilia.

While refraining from delivering a definitive assessment, given that the Valencia track might not offer a holistic reflection of a bike’s capabilities, Bagnaia expressed positivity about the novel aerodynamic configuration he tested on Tuesday.

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“Honestly, I’m quite surprised… Not surprised, but happy that the things were going well,” he remarked. “I started the day with the previous [bike] and it worked well. We managed to do a good job all day. The feeling on braking [and] entry was much better."

“So now we will check, understand, analyse everything to understand the situation. And to try to have this feeling like a constant. But I’m very happy about the things we tried."

“I’m happy with the new fairing that looks good, but we need to do more laps because this track is not very good to put a lot of laps in. So, we will try again in the future."

“[The circuit is] too tight; not very fast corners. So we need to test it better, maybe in Malaysia. But for the rest, happy.”

Bagnaia was the sole rider to experience a crash during the Valencia test, as he went down at Turn 2 in the final hour while attempting to better his time of 1m29.731s.

However, the Italian downplayed the incident, stating: “Nothing [major], I was pushing. It was my chance to set the time attack. A good lap time with the time attack, but I exaggerated a bit at corner two and went wide."

Bagnaia concluded the day two spots behind Nicolo Bulega, who was filling in for reigning world champion Marc Marquez on the other side of the factory Ducati garage.

But the 26-year-old asserted that finishing the day slower than a test rider would not reflect poorly on him.

“I don’t care what people think and say,” he stated. “Honestly, I think Nicolo did a very good day. He was working well and the lap time he did in this run was very good."

“But honestly, I was focused on myself. And knowing that maybe the time attack could improve with the time attack was fantastic today. But I didn’t have the chance because I crashed.”

Background and Context:

Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia, born in Turin, Italy, on January 14, 1997, is a prominent figure in MotoGP, currently riding for the Ducati Lenovo Team. His career highlights include winning the MotoGP World Championship in 2022 and 2023, marking Ducati’s first title since Casey Stoner in 2007.

Bagnaia’s journey to MotoGP success began in Moto3, where he secured his first Grand Prix victory at the 2016 Dutch TT. He then progressed to Moto2, claiming the World Championship in 2018 with eight victories. His promotion to MotoGP in 2019 with Pramac Racing marked the beginning of his tenure with Ducati.

The 2023 season saw Bagnaia continue his dominance, battling against Jorge Martin for the championship. His victory at the final race in Valencia secured his second consecutive title, solidifying his status as a leading rider in the sport.

The Valencia test is a crucial event in the MotoGP calendar, allowing teams to evaluate new components and configurations for the upcoming season. The Circuit Ricardo Tormo, known for its tight and technical layout, presents unique challenges for riders and engineers.

Ducati, as a constructor, has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, with its bikes known for their power and handling. The GP26 represents the latest iteration of Ducati’s MotoGP machine, incorporating advancements in aerodynamics, engine performance, and chassis design.

Nicolo Bulega, an experienced test rider for Ducati, has contributed significantly to the development of the bike. His role involves providing feedback on new components and settings, helping the team optimize performance.

Raul Fernandez, riding for Trackhouse Aprilia, topped the timesheets at the Valencia test, showcasing the potential of the Aprilia bike. Fernandez’s performance underscored the competitiveness of the Aprilia, which has emerged as a strong contender in recent seasons.

The upcoming MotoGP season promises to be highly competitive, with several riders and teams vying for the championship. Bagnaia’s positive experience at the Valencia test bodes well for his chances of securing a third consecutive title.

The MotoGP community will be closely watching Bagnaia’s progress as he continues to test and develop the GP26, with further evaluations expected at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Bagnaia’s ability to adapt and extract the maximum performance from his machine will be critical to his success in the upcoming season. The competition from other manufacturers, including Aprilia, KTM, and Yamaha, will ensure a thrilling and unpredictable championship battle.