FRANCESCO BAGNAIA CRASHES EARLY IN SAN MARINO AFTER TRYING TO FOLLOW DIGGIA

Francesco Bagnaia’s San Marino weekend turned into a difficult sequence of setbacks, culminating in a crash early in the race. After missing Q2 and finishing the Sprint with no points in 13th, the Ducati Lenovo rider suffered his 11th crash of the season when he slid off in Turn 2 on his home track, not far from his Pesaro base.

Speaking at the media after the incident, Bagnaia described a bid to stay with the leading pace after a stronger start than in the Sprint. “I’ve tried,” he said. “My start was better than in the Sprint and after Franky went into the Long Lap, I tried to stay with Diggia. Then I tried to take just a little more speed out of Turn 2. Unfortunately the result was the crash—which luckily was harmless. Unluckily—like the whole weekend.”

Bagnaia said the crash reflected a broader problem with his feel for the circuit. “It’s just the way it is—we’re now in this difficult situation and we have to keep searching for a solution,” he explained. “The situation is unchanged—the feeling is zero. Even today I spoke with other riders and they confirm what we know: the track here has a lot of grip—only I don’t feel it.”

Despite the frustration, he pointed to the next round as a chance to reset. “I’m still looking forward to the Red Bull Ring,” Bagnaia added. “I have the best memories of the track and the circuit generally suits me—we’re working so that I can have the feeling I need there again.”

In the championship, Bagnaia dropped a place to Alex Marquez, who was ninth after 14 laps in Misano. Even with Bagnaia’s setback, Ducati celebrated following the Desmo brothers’ double win, with the riders’ title going to Marc Marquez and Ducati taking the manufacturers’ lead.