Bagnaia eyes Spanish GP turnaround after tough start to 2025 season

Francesco Bagnaia, with the rest of the MotoGP grid, returns to the Circuito de Jerez for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. The two-time MotoGP world champion hopes to use his past success here as a springboard to push him up the riders' standings where he currently sits third behind leader Marc Marquez and his brother Alex Marquez.

Ducati is clearly a potent team this year, and Pecco is looking forward to stretching his abilities at the track he's shown a controlling dominance at before. The rider hasn't been beaten at the track over the past three years - a track that rewards his riding style. 

Of course, his 2025 season start hasn't been as good as he would have hoped. The older Marquez brother has been outriding him consistently through the season, winning all four sprint races and the first three Grands Prix. Pecco has a single victory to his name from the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and this was only earned when Marc Marquez crashed from ahead.

Looking forward to this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the confidence of the rider is potentially at an all-time high so far this year, considering his substantial experience at the track. 

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Ducati Corse

"The Spanish GP in Jerez is always special," Bagnaia said. "I'm happy, it will be a challenging weekend. In Qatar we were strong, we worked well, and we achieved the maximum result on a track where, at least on paper, I thought I would struggle more.

"Here I scored my first podium with Ducati last year after a great duel with Pecco, who is really fast here, and I can't wait to get on the track."

He continued:

"In the last three years I have achieved a lot in Jerez and I am happy to return for the GP," he said. "We have always been very fast and we have achieved the maximum result in the last seasons.

"In Qatar we straightened out a weekend that after qualifying, seemed really complicated. Another important podium and increasingly better riding sensations."