Bagnaia Falls Short as Márquez Shines in Challenging Conditions at MotoGP San Marino GP

Bagnaia Falls Short as Márquez Shines in Challenging Conditions at MotoGP San Marino GP

Despite entering the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix as a favored contender, Francesco Bagnaia left Misano without a victory. The Ducati rider led for much of the race but could not withstand Marc Márquez’s challenge, especially as light rain altered the conditions and played into the Spaniard’s hands.

Bagnaia, who had been dominant earlier in the race, found himself in a tough spot when the weather changed. In a post-race press conference, Bagnaia reflected on the race and his strategic decisions.

When Jorge Martín opted to switch tires due to the rain, Bagnaia decided to avoid unnecessary risks, believing that the rain would not be substantial. However, the conditions soon proved to be a greater challenge than anticipated.

“I knew I didn’t need to take any risks when I saw Jorge enter the pits,” Bagnaia said. “The rain didn’t seem serious at first,

so I thought I could remain competitive. But Marc, being the bravest in such conditions, started catching up. Once he overtook me, I tried to get back past him, but it wasn’t possible.

I considered a dive bomb maneuver but realized it was too risky. As I followed him, I started losing time in the last four laps, and my physical condition deteriorated as I lost focus.”

Bagnaia conceded that Márquez was superior in the rainy conditions, noting the Spaniard’s bravery and skill. “Marc was simply faster today,” Bagnaia admitted.

 

“He showed incredible bravery when the rain started. My pace was competitive in some corners, but he was faster in others, making it difficult to reclaim the lead.”

The reigning champion also acknowledged that his physical discomfort became more pronounced as he lost focus and began to accept second place. “When I was fully focused, I rode well, but once I saw Enea [Bastianini] was several seconds behind, I began to take more risks and started struggling with the front locking up.

 

I decided to ease up, and the final laps were very challenging. Even if I had been at 100%, beating Marc today would have been tough. His pace was exceptional, especially with that 1m31.5s lap on lap 20.”

Looking ahead, Bagnaia remains optimistic. “The good news is that we return here in two weeks. I’ll be back at full strength and will aim for another shot at victory.”

As the MotoGP season progresses, the competition remains fierce, with Márquez’s performance at Misano serving as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for all contenders.