DUCATI EXPECTS BAGNAIA’S APRILIA MOVE TO BENEFIT ITS RIVALS

Francesco Bagnaia has two months left with Ducati before beginning a new chapter at Aprilia, ending a six-season spell with the factory team. The partnership has brought him two MotoGP world titles and 31 race victories, but his current struggles have made the split a focus of discussion. He has recorded six retirements this season and finished inside the top six only five times across 15 races, while repeatedly describing a lack of feeling on the bike.

Former world championship crew chief Peter Bom believes Bagnaia should still be achieving solid results even when the Ducati does not suit him. Speaking on the Oxley Bom podcast after Misano, he said: “On a bad day, you should finish sixth or seventh.” Bom compared the situation with Jorge Martin, arguing that a rider of Bagnaia’s calibre should be able to deliver more on what he called one of the grid’s best bikes.

Bom suggested Ducati may privately see Bagnaia’s departure as beneficial, particularly with Marc Marquez delivering results from the other side of the garage. “Ducati will be so happy that they have another side of the garage [Marc Marquez] that is taking care of business and will be laughing silently behind a glass of vino about the next years, where he goes to Aprilia,” he said. “That’s one of our competitors sorted for 50%.”

The move could leave Aprilia with a rider whose recent form is well below his championship-winning level. The team has also lost Martin to Yamaha, while Ducati is preparing for Pedro Acosta’s arrival. Bagnaia’s crew are reportedly looking forward to working with Acosta, impressed by his performances on the KTM, including his victory in Austria.

The cause of Bagnaia’s downturn remains disputed. Ducati has reportedly found no mechanical explanation, despite extensive experiments with his bike. General manager Luigi Dall’Igna said the team had explored a wide range of options, including some that proved unsuitable. Ducati has reportedly considered psychological factors, but Bagnaia rejects that explanation.

A conversation with Fabio di Giannantonio, controversially released by DAZN, also drew attention after Bagnaia said Ducati would not “let him” use a basic setup. He withdrew the claim before the Austrian weekend. With his Ducati career nearing its end, the question is whether a change of team can restore the form that made him a two-time champion.