BAGNAIA FINISHES 11TH IN SPRINT AFTER STRUGGLING WITH REAR-GRIP

Francesco Bagnaia’s Sprint ended in disappointment as the Ducati factory rider finished 11th, unable to match the pace he had expected after practice. He started strongly on the medium rear tyre, initially running ninth and briefly moving up to eighth. However, the momentum faded and he slipped back, eventually finding himself only able to hold station behind the leading group rather than challenge it. While Marc Marquez, on the same type of bike, was turning in high-1:46s, Bagnaia struggled to consistently reach the same level, with his times hovering around the 1:47 range. The final result left Bagnaia 14.5 seconds off the Sprint winner.

Bagnaia’s Sprint pace also reflected a broader issue with traction and top-end performance. Looking back, he said that compared with Friday’s work, “a step forward” had been made in the second practice session. “With the medium tyre I was fast,” he explained. “Not as fast as Marc, but my pace was in the high 1:46s and low 1:47s. I was sure I’d ride the same pace in the Sprint.”

The race plan didn’t hold. “I fought with grip at the rear again,” Bagnaia said. He added that he lost ground on acceleration and also at top speed, which meant he “was not able to attack.” In particular, he pointed to a turning point in the third lap, when Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati) and Jack Miller (Yamaha) both found a way past.

After the Sprint, Bagnaia’s tone was resigned but focused on the Grand Prix. “It is what it is. We work for the race and, thanks to the Sprint, we know which direction to take.” For the 23-lap GP, he lowered expectations while still targeting points: “If I can ride the same pace as in practice, there are a few good points in the Top-7.”

The result continued a downward trend since Assen, with Bagnaia collecting only 16 points since that event. He did note a positive update regarding his operated hand: “With painkillers it’s better.”