The 2025 French Grand Prix Sprint Race came to an abrupt halt for Pecco Bagnaia, who crashed on the second lap from fourth place, claiming his first zero of the season. The Ducati Lenovo rider, who finished sixth in qualifying, reflects on the incident, revealing growing frustration at his lack of feel for the front end of the Desmosedici GP2, a problem that has plagued him since the start of the year.
Le Le Mans Sprint turned out to be short-lived Pecco Bagnaia, victim of a fall at the start of the second lap while he was in fourth position. A costly error, his first retirement of the season, which comes in a delicate context for the driver Ducati, still looking for confidence with the front of the Desmosedici GP25.
« This morning everything was fine, I was happy, good pace, good feelings “, he confided. “ Same feeling at the start of the Sprint. But in qualifying, I had trouble with the soft front tire. I can't push 100% with this tire. It moves too much, and I have no feeling with the front »
Despite a great start, bagnaia felt he could aim high. I felt very good, I was fast, I could have passed Alex Marquez at Turn 7. But at Turn 3, I lost the front without warning. It's infuriating. I think we had the pace to finish second »
The telemetry data spoke: “ I entered slower than usual, with 5 degrees less angle... and I fell. My strategy didn't change, but I just didn't have any grip up front. »
Pecco Bagnaia: “ If I fell, there was a problem, but I couldn't guess it. »
A frustrating feeling sets in, despite promising performances in race pace. It was probably my best race of the year in terms of sensations. But here it is, it ends in the gravel. I know I'm struggling to push myself this season, I'm fast, but not confident »
Asked about Sunday's race, he remains cautious: " I'm leaving as always. We'll see if we can aim for the podium. You will have to survive the first lap and turn 3The pace is good, second place is within reach, maybe even better. But we have to work hard tonight. »
Finally, he wanted to differentiate his fall from that of Marc Marquez in Jerez: “ It's not comparable. Marc came across a big braking in line. Me, I was slow, on a normal trajectoryIf I fell, there was a problem, but I couldn't guess it. »
In conclusion, the unease is palpable. Since 2020, I have always had a great feeling with the front. That's what allowed me to attack hard, to brake hard. This year, I don't have that anymore. And it's eating away at me. »
Starting grid MotoGP :
Sprint Ranking:
