CAL CRUTCHLOW SAYS PECCO BAGNAIA IS STILL AMONG MOTOGP’S BEST DESPITE CURRENT SLUMP

Cal Crutchlow has urged MotoGP fans not to write off Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia despite a difficult stretch that has seen the Ducati rider struggle to find his usual form. Speaking during his appearance on the MotoGP world TV feed at Aragon, the three-time LCR Honda race winner said Bagnaia is “still one of the best riders in this championship,” even if his current period has been “a tough watch sometimes.”

Crutchlow framed Bagnaia’s downturn as something that can happen to elite athletes. “People go through that in their career. It’s as simple as that,” he said when asked about the rider’s challenging 18 months. In Crutchlow’s view, the slump does not reflect a loss of the core qualities that made Bagnaia a front-runner in the first place. “It doesn’t mean that he’s lost his talent, his speed, his determination to do better, to be able to be fast, all of those things.”

He added that the problem is often more about the feel on the bike than about motivation alone. “He’s just gone through a bad period, and that’s what happens to athletes and sportspeople sometimes. And when it’s just you on the bike, if you don’t have that feeling, it’s difficult.”

Bagnaia’s recent results have underlined the concern. The Italian, a former factory Ducati rider who won 29 grand prix and claimed two world titles, dropped to fifth in the standings in the opening four seasons with the team, with Marc Marquez taking the championship. Since then, Bagnaia has rarely looked fully comfortable with the 2025 version of the Desmosedici. This season he is winless so far and sits eighth in the world championship.

Crutchlow also pointed to Bagnaia’s age and upside, saying the rider is “still young” and “super talented,” with “no doubt he can be up there.” He expressed confidence that the turnaround will come. “I thoroughly think he’ll be back at the front at some point this year, and also in the years to come,” Crutchlow said.

The comments arrive as Bagnaia prepares for a major team change. He is set to leave Ducati for Aprilia next season, having signed a four-year deal to race the RS-GP in the new 850cc/Pirelli era. Crutchlow’s message was that commitment will be key to getting back to the sharp end: “So, yes, it’s a tough watch sometimes, but hopefully he stays completely committed, and he’ll be back there sooner rather than later.”

Crutchlow himself returned to the grid this year as an injury replacement for Johann Zarco, but his focus remained on Bagnaia’s long-term standing rather than the current dip in performance.