Francesco Bagnaia on the Misano crash: Aims for Redemption at the Indonesian GP

 

Last Sunday at the MotoGP Emilia-Romagna GP, Francesco Bagnaia faced a setback in his championship quest. The Ducati rider was pushing hard for a home victory when a crash with less than ten laps to go forced him to retire from the race. As the 2022 and 2023 champion, Bagnaia is now setting his sights on the upcoming Indonesian GP, determined to reclaim his spot on the podium.

Reflecting on his performance at Misano, Bagnaia expressed his frustration regarding the lack of pace at the race’s start. “It’s difficult to say something about what happened with the pace,” he noted. “I was not having a great feeling with the rear tire. We’ve communicated a lot with Michelin, trying to work together for improvements.” This collaboration with tire manufacturers is crucial, especially as riders seek optimal performance in varying conditions.

Bagnaia also candidly addressed his crash, admitting it was a mistake on his part. “It’s not the first time this has happened,”

he stated. “When you’re not pushing hard on the brakes and your bike is more aligned, it’s easier to lose the front. We’ve seen this already this season.” Such insights underscore the challenges riders face in maintaining control and confidence throughout a race.

Despite the disappointing outcome at Misano, Bagnaia remains focused and optimistic about the Indonesian GP. “It was a strange Sunday,” he admitted, highlighting how his strong practice sessions failed to translate into race pace. “We are already focusing on this weekend. Last season went well, and we’ll build on our experiences to be competitive.”

Looking ahead to Mandalika, Bagnaia is hopeful. He appreciates the unique characteristics of the track, noting, “It’s a bit different in terms of grip—there will be less grip, and we’ll need to adapt quickly. But it’s a good track, and I believe we can be very fast.” With the opportunity to bounce back from his Misano DNF, Bagnaia’s determination and familiarity with the circuit may play pivotal roles in his performance.

As the championship battle heats up, all eyes will be on Bagnaia this weekend. Will he shake off the disappointment and return to form at the Indonesian GP? Only time will tell, but his commitment to improvement suggests he’s more than ready for the challenge.