Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles at the start of the 2025 MotoGP season have raised eyebrows, especially after another lackluster performance during qualifying for the Grand Prix Americas. According to Sylvain Guintoli of TNT Sports, Bagnaia “still needs to find something” as he continues to search for the speed and consistency that characterize a champion in the elite league of motorcycle racing. Despite being one of the front runners last season, Bagnaia’s current form pales in comparison to that of his formidable teammate, Marc Marquez, who has dominated the early races of the season.
At the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Marquez showcased his prowess by securing his third consecutive pole position of the season, while Bagnaia could only manage a disappointing sixth place. His time was more than half a second shy of Marquez’s best lap, and he found himself finishing behind both Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rides for Enduro VR46, as well as Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli—both riding other Ducati bikes. Guintoli commented on this unusual situation, emphasizing that not only was Bagnaia behind his teammate, but he also lagged behind other riders on the same machine. “The only Ducati behind him is the rookie, [Fermin] Aldeguer,” Guintoli noted, indicating that Bagnaia’s performance has not only been subpar but also concerning for a rider of his caliber.
This comparison highlights the significant gap in performance between Bagnaia and the other Ducati riders, raising questions about his current bike setup or overall strategy. Guintoli suggested that it’s essential for Bagnaia to find his competitive edge soon, given the impressive performance of the other Ducati riders on the grid. “Pecco should really be in front of all the other guys, except for Marc maybe,” he added, pushing the narrative that Bagnaia’s struggles are an anomaly rather than a reflection of his true capabilities.
While Bagnaia is grappling with his challenges, six-time world champion Marquez has been in stellar form, clinching wins in Thailand and Argentina, while also asserting his dominance with three straight poles—an achievement he hadn’t attained since 2019. Despite this, Marquez remains focused on enhancing his consistency. In an interview with TNT Sports, he expressed: “I’m fast, now I need to work on the way to be more consistent and smoother.” Marquez recounted his experience during Free Practice 2, where he felt confident but acknowledged that he lost time during the crucial time attack phase due to overexertion. His intention now is to refine his technique and find a rhythm that allows for smoother transitions during races.
In parallel, Di Giannantonio revelled in a surprising qualifying performance, which placed him in P2 to sandwich the Marquez brothers. Following a dramatic reinstatement of his fastest lap, the Italian celebrated a significant win for his team. “I think we’ve done an incredible job. The goal today was to be on the front row, and we’re on it,” Di Giannantonio declared, exuding optimism about the upcoming race. His proximity to Marquez in qualifying prompts a bold ambition: if he can maintain pace, he might challenge the reigning champion for dominance on the track.
As the stage is set for the Grand Prix Americas, the results from the qualifying session are telling of the current competitive landscape within MotoGP. Marquez (Ducati) led the pack with a blistering lap time of 2:01.088, followed closely by Di Giannantonio (+0.101) and Alex Marquez (+0.360). The highly-anticipated race will see riders vying for position as they aim to outsmart and outpace their rivals on a challenging course.
With all eyes now on the upcoming actions, fans are eager to see if Bagnaia can turn his fortunes around and if Marquez can maintain his supremacy. Simultaneously, the threat from Di Giannantonio and the rest of the impressive Ducati contingent looms large, promising an enthralling race at the Grand Prix Americas. Tune in to witness the drama unfold in the 2025 MotoGP season, which is streamable live on TNT Sports and discovery+.