Ducati is heading into a challenging phase as it navigates a growingly delicate situation between factory teammates Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, following a dramatic turn in form for both riders after the Le Mans round of the 2025 MotoGP season.
Marc Marquez has surged to the top of the championship standings, claiming a sprint race win and grand prix second place in France. He now leads by 22 points and has shown impressive adaptability to the GP25 bike—something Bagnaia, despite being a reigning world champion and more experienced on Ducati machinery, has struggled to replicate.
Bagnaia’s ongoing front-end issues have cost him vital points, with his Le Mans crash resulting in a zero-point weekend—his first of the season—and leaving him 51 points adrift of his teammate. While Ducati has made efforts to improve the bike, team management reportedly expects a world champion to “ride around” such issues.
Bagnaia’s recent comments and internal reflections suggest he has come to terms with the fact that the problem may lie more with him than the bike. This realization, though potentially a turning point, comes late—six rounds into the championship.
Crash MotoGP’s Lewis Duncan highlighted the mental toll this may have on Bagnaia:
“He’s too lost in his head… now he’s realised it. He has effectively re-set his championship, which is a nightmare because Marquez is doing Marquez things.”
Marquez, meanwhile, has earned praise for his humility and willingness to adapt, treating the season as a fresh challenge despite his veteran status and decorated career.
The growing performance gap and contrasting mental states are creating tension behind the scenes, with Ducati management under pressure to manage both riders’ ambitions. If Bagnaia can’t regain his form soon, Ducati could face not just a rider imbalance, but internal discord that could derail their title ambitions.
