HODGSON SAYS BAGNAIA MAY WELCOME A BREAK FROM THE DUCATI

Francesco Bagnaia’s Qatar Sprint crash left him with two fractures in his foot and raised the possibility that his Ducati career has ended before he can race for the team again. The two-time MotoGP champion has returned to Italy for surgery, which was successful. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said Bagnaia hopes to be back for the Portuguese Grand Prix; if he cannot make it, Valencia is the alternative. A return would give him a chance to bid farewell to Ducati before testing with Aprilia, his next team, the following week.

Bagnaia sounded determined to focus on the positives after a difficult spell. In an Instagram post, he wrote: “I will be right back guys. It feels strange to say it, but Qatar has actually been one of the best weekends of the season for me.” He added that sometimes, despite efforts to change things, “they just don’t go your way,” and said he wanted to take encouragement from the weekend after spending too long feeling frustrated.

Former rider and pundit Neil Hodgson suggested that the injury might also offer Bagnaia a break from the strain of riding a motorcycle that has been difficult for him to master. Speaking on the Gas it Out podcast, Hodgson said: “Pecco’s seen the positive side because he’s thinking, ‘I am finally done with riding this Ducati! I don’t have to ride it again!’” He added: “I think he’d rather the physical pain of a broken foot than the mental pain of continuing to underperform and not enjoy riding.” Hodgson stressed that Bagnaia has been a popular figure and that the past two years had been painful.

The Italian had shown signs of progress in Qatar, finishing fourth in Friday’s timed practice and qualifying fifth, his best grid position since Assen. But Fermin Aldeguer’s move in the Sprint, which brought the Gresini rider a double long-lap penalty, ended Bagnaia’s chance to build on that form.

Bagnaia has not won a Grand Prix this season, putting him on course for his first winless campaign since 2020, when he was at Pramac. His podium drought has reached 10 races, and he has missed Q2 six times this year. Even so, he appears keen to return for one final outing. He has spent six seasons with Ducati, across 119 race weekends, before his expected move to Aprilia.