The nightmare continues for Francesco Pecco Bagnaia. The two-time world champion endured another disastrous weekend at Portimão, culminating in his fourth consecutive retirement. Meanwhile, Marquez's replacement, Nicolò Bulega, fresh from Superbike, scored a point in his very first MotoGP race, plunging the factory Ducati rider even further into doubt.
Nothing was going right for bagnaia right from the trials. Whereas Open up — despite being a last-minute rookie — displayed a solid pace from his very first session on the Desmosedici GP25The veteran official seemed to be struggling to regain any consistency.
Ironically, the replacement for Marc Marquez even finished ahead of him during their first joint session.
bagnaia He then recovered during free practice, setting the second fastest time, before securing fourth place on the grid. But the illusion was short-lived: eighth in the Sprint Due to motor problems, he fell during the Grand Prix at turn 10, on lap 11.
Open upHe, on the other hand, saw the finish — fifteenth, with one point scored for his debut — a symbolic but meaningful performance.
In an interview with GPOne, Open up delivered a frank analysis of the situation:
« I don't think he realizes what's happening. Personally, I don't believe a pilot could be that inconsistent. »
The 2025 Superbike World Championship runner-up believes that bagnaia He remains one of the strongest players on the board, but he has lost the mental and technical consistency that was his strength:
« If he feels comfortable on his motorcycle, he's very difficult to beat. But He needs to understand why he doesn't always experience the same sensations. »
Bulega: " I am convinced that once Bagnaia regains his confidence, few opponents will be able to beat him »
Open up He adds, however: I am convinced that once he regains his confidence, few opponents will be able to beat him »
These are respectful yet revealing comments: even a rookie can now perceive the instability of the fallen champion.
At DucatiThe situation is becoming embarrassing. The CEO Claudio Domenicali had recently stated that a third place in the championship for bagnaia would be "excellent", in order to see three Ducatis monopolize the final podium of the standings.
But with one race to go, the plan collapses: bagnaia trails by 35 points Bezzecchiand must now look behind him, with Peter Acosta by only three points.
Bezzecchi, the flamboyant winner in Portimão, consolidated his third place in the championship. Ducati, despite its technical dominance, sees one of its symbols lose its footing — a situation that even Sundays had not considered it a few weeks ago.
Since its victory at Motegi, aided by the introduction of parts from the GP24, Bagnaia has not finished a single Grand Prix since..
His relationship with the GP25 seems irretrievably broken, and the Italian driver no longer hides his impatience to move on to the GP26which he hopes will be better suited to his style.
But time is running out. After the internal tensions already mentioned with the technical management, and while Marc Marquez took full power in 2025, bagnaia approaches Valencia in the uncomfortable role of the driver who simply has to save face.
A top 5 finish now seems to be the maximum realistic outcome for the former champion.
Failing to regain victory, bagnaia will at least have to prove Ducati that it can once again become an anchor for the future — before the market MotoGP The 2026 transfer window does not open, and other manufacturers, Aprilia At the forefront, they are beginning to smell the opportunity.
His fate, like his confidence, will depend on the GP26. A motorcycle that he hopes will finally be able to rekindle the flame — that of a champion who has lost his bearings, in the heart of a home that no longer reflects him.
