Francesco Bagnaia explains in Painful a disaster” race end at San Marino GP: A Disastrous Finish

Francesco Bagnaia Reflects on Painful San Marino GP: A Disastrous Finish

Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP world champion, described the final laps of the San Marino Grand Prix as “a disaster” due to a combination of lost concentration and intensified pain from recent injuries. Despite starting from pole position and initially leading the race, Bagnaia was ultimately unable to secure a win, finishing as the runner-up to Marc Marquez.

The Ducati rider entered the Misano weekend with lingering discomfort from a crash at the Aragon GP, where he sustained minor shoulder and back injuries in an incident with Alex Marquez. Competing under the influence of painkillers, Bagnaia’s performance was a testament to his determination, though it was evident that the physical toll was affecting his race.

Bagnaia’s weekend had begun promisingly; he qualified at the top and secured second place in the sprint race. During the main event, he led early on and appeared poised for victory.

However, as rain began to fall, his situation changed dramatically. The changing weather conditions introduced a new variable, and with his main rival Jorge Martin opting to pit, Bagnaia adjusted his strategy to focus on maintaining a secure second place.

Despite his efforts to stay competitive, Bagnaia’s focus began to wane as the pain from his injuries became more prominent.

“When I decided to finish second, four, five laps to go, I lost the concentration to be super-fast on track and I started to think more on the pain,” he explained. “It was a disaster because it was like in one moment all of the painkiller effect finished.”

The race result, though not a victory, has nonetheless proven beneficial for Bagnaia in the championship standings. With Martin’s strategic error, Bagnaia has closed the gap from 26 points to just seven behind the Spaniard. Reflecting on the race, Bagnaia acknowledged that, given his recent struggles, the result was a positive outcome under the circumstances.

“After what happened last week, considering on Monday I wasn’t able to do that much, it tastes good,” Bagnaia said. He commended the efforts of his team and medical staff, noting that managing pain in the arms and shoulders is particularly challenging compared to leg injuries, which can be offset by greater use of the arms.

While the result does not feel like a victory, Bagnaia is proud of the effort he put forth and remains optimistic about his prospects in the championship.

The Misano GP showcased both his resilience and the impact of injury on elite racing performance, highlighting the delicate balance between physical endurance and competitive strategy in MotoGP.