Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning double world champion, has announced he will move forward with an “unconventional” technical change, first trialled on his Ducati GP25 during the Misano test, at this weekend’s Japanese MotoGP.
The Italian rider remains tight-lipped about the exact nature of the modification, which helped him restore some of the crucial front-end feeling he has been searching for throughout the season.
The only definitive clue he offered was: “It’s a type of work that has never been done.”
Sky Italia reports hint at Bagnaia utilizing the 2024 fork and swingarm, alongside a possible adjustment to the ride height device. Bagnaia confirmed the team’s success in bringing the testing setup to Motegi:
“I know Ducati tried to ensure the path they followed was the same as the Misano tests.
“It’s a bit unconventional; it wasn’t easy to imagine it could be used here, but they succeeded: we’ll work in that direction.”
Adding to the intrigue, the Italian described the setup at Motegi as being “not totally, but partly” what he experienced at the Misano test.
Motegi holds good memories for Bagnaia, who achieved a perfect double win here just one year ago. “I was going really fast, I hope I can get even a little bit of that feeling back,” he said, desperate to end his current ten-race podium drought.
👑 Bagnaia on Marquez: ‘Almost a Championship Without Rivals’
While Bagnaia seeks stability, his factory teammate, Marc Marquez, is dominating the grid. Marquez holds a staggering 182-point championship lead over his brother Alex and has his first mathematical chance to secure his seventh premier-class world title this Sunday.
Bagnaia was quick to lavish praise on the #93’s performance: “I think there’s little to add to what he’s done this season.”
“Especially with the GP25: he’s the only one who could ride it at 100%.”
“It’s been almost a championship without rivals… and he’s been unbeatable.”
Marquez has claimed 11 out of 16 Grand Prix wins and 14 Sprints. Bagnaia’s COTA victory—which came after Marquez crashed out of the lead—remains the only other Sunday victory for a GP25 rider.
With Alex Marquez 93 points ahead in second place, Bagnaia is now facing stiff competition for third in the standings from Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, who trails him by just eight points.
