During the Valencia tests in preparation for the 2026 season, Jorge Lorenzo did not hesitate to point out what he considers a worrying change in Pecco Bagnaia: The problem is that he seems to lack a bit of enthusiasm, of joy: from the outside he appears lifeless, negative.. »
The former world champion, now a seasoned paddock analyst, draws a parallel between the Italian driver's situation and a historical precedent:
« Ben Spies was fast, then in 2012 he beat me by a second and collapsed. It's similar with Bagnaia: Things move more slowly, and more negative things happen to you too. »
Lorenzo recalls the particular circumstances in which bagnaia evolved: champion DucatiItalian, Italian machine…
« Bagnaia was in an ideal, almost idyllic situation. The only rider to have won two world championships with Ducati, an Italian on an Italian bike, the whole factory dedicated to him… It was perfect »
Jorge Lorenzo: “ If someone helped Pecco Bagnaia regain his enthusiasm and joy, everything else would follow. »
But according to Lorenzo, the arrival of Marc Marquez and a 2025 motorcycle that was more difficult to ride put him in difficulty:
« …Ducati decided to take the best of everyone … And in addition, it proved to be technically stronger. This starts to create psychological doubts in you.You lose a bit of confidence, you have less feeling »
And above all, he believes in GPone that the obstacle is no longer just technical but also mental:
« I believe that this year's bike also has something that doesn't make him feel entirely comfortable… It's not just mental. But all together — Mark much more heavily, the motorcycle he doesn't like — makes a big difference »
Finally Lorenzo The book contains a prescription: If someone helped him first rediscover his enthusiasm and joy, everything else would follow. »
Analysis of Lorenzo is clear: bagnaia goes through a period of doubt, reinforced by a motorcycle that doesn't fully satisfy him and by the rise of a rival like Marquez. For him, The restart begins with the mind before the technology.
