Ducati Updates, Bagnaia Still Waiting
The Le Mans weekend takes on a special significance for Francesco Bagnaia, who faces a crucial test to revive his season. The French track, traditionally favorable to Ducati, has seen the Desmosedici win from 2020 to 2024, although the Piedmontese rider has never managed to claim victory.
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It is unlikely that Bagnaia will reverse the trend in 2026, because by his own admission Ducati “is not what it used to be“. Moreover, he will probably not use the updates appreciated in the Jerez de la Frontera tests because rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday: with a slippery track, it is not only more difficult to measure improvements on the GP-26 but also the components themselves are at risk ahead of Montmeló (May 15-17).
Bagnaia’s Words
“I think it might be there, but we don’t have many units“, Bagnaia admitted regarding the new fairing to Sky Sport MotoGP. “So, in mixed conditions, I don’t think we will use it: since there are few, we must not damage them ahead of Barcelona, which is a track where the aerodynamic part makes more of a difference. I don’t think we will use it here, but we will see“.
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“It’s quite a difficult moment for Ducati, which is definitely not working as we would have expected. Unfortunately, I have been in this situation for over a year, I struggle quite a bit and it’s strange because now I feel better on the front, but I still don’t do what I want. We have a quite nervous bike under braking: you have to be extremely precise because it tends to move a lot, it’s no longer the Ducati where you brake hard, enter hard and stay there, even though at Jerez Alex Marquez managed to do this. It’s a complicated moment but I’m a romantic and I always believe in arriving at the Grand Prix and being at the front. I always believe, I know we have the potential to be at the front and we just need to find the right setup“, he added. “Demotivation? From my point of view no, I always arrive very motivated. Then it’s obvious that if you start a weekend and struggle a lot, you know you will have to work hard and it’s not easy, but honestly if there is this demotivation it doesn’t come from me“.
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