Francesco Bagnaia 'unable to do anything' behind brothers Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez, but 'gained honour' in racing style at Mugello
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Published 22/06/2025 at 18:17 GMT+1
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Hopes of a fourth consecutive Mugello victory for Pecco Bagnaia were dashed on Sunday at Grand Prix Italy despite a stirring start from the Italian. Marc Marquez held off his team-mate after a spectacular opening few laps, and the TNT Sports panel were positive about Bagnaia's performance despite him sliding to fourth. "He gained honour," said Michael Laverty.
Bagnaia 'gained honour' by taking fight to Marquez at Mugello - 'He left it all out there'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia "gained honour" with his performance on his home track of Mugello, but Grand Prix Italy winner Marc Marquez was "just too good."
Those were the thoughts of TNT Sports experts Michael Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli after a Grand Prix that started with some of the most spectacular, white-knuckle racing of the MotoGP season so far.
Bagnaia, determined to impress in front of an adoring crowd after a difficult season so far, came out fighting with a series of aggressive overtakes.
The lead changed hands between Bagnaia and the Marquez brothers Marc and Alex several times in the first few laps before the championship leader ultimately stretched clear to claim his 93rd career victory.
Alex came second, but Bagnaia suffered a painful end to his day when he was overtaken by compatriot Fabio Di Giannantonio on the penultimate lap to surrender a podium spot.
Despite the disappointing end, Laverty and Guintoli were upbeat about the Italian’s performance on a day when he showed flashes of his double world champion quality.
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Highlights: Marquez claims Mugello triumph after electrifying start
Video credit: TNT Sports
"We love what we’ve seen from Pecco," Laverty said. "In those early laps Alex said he didn’t get involved because there was nothing to gain.
"But Pecco gained honour today in front of his home fans. Every time there was an open door, he sent the Ducati back down the inside. It was such a battle."
Guintoli replied: "It was just unbelievable. Pecco left it all out there. He tried everything he could.
"He pushed and pushed and pushed, took risks. Every time he had the opportunity, he put his front wheel in. The issue is that Marc is just too good.
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"But Pecco tried everything and that’s what we wanted to see. Okay, he’s not on the podium, but he’s got to come out of here and try to learn from this. Stay proud, keep working at it.
"Those first laps were fantastic. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. We said on the grid that it has got to be now, it’s in Italy, in front of his public, and he did it. He tried everything. You can’t knock him for trying and he tried 120%."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Tardozzi: Bagnaia is a champion
Bagnaia received the backing of Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi after the race, despite falling further behind his team-mate Marquez in the riders’ standings.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Tardozzi threw his support behind the Italian, who finished second in the championship last season after back-to-back world titles.
"We have no doubt about his speed," Tardozzi said.
"We miss something. I said since the beginning of the season that we miss something to help him. He is struggling always with the same things, so we must find the solution. We haven’t found it yet.
"But Pecco is the champion we know from last year, and he has the speed to fight with Marc and Alex in every race."
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‘What a move!’ – Bagnaia edges ahead of Marquez brothers in three-way fight for first
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bagnaia was not so upbeat about his performance, as he lamented his inability to keep pace with the Marquez brothers Marc and Alex.
He trails the pair in the championship standings and explained to TNT Sports that his lack of feel with the bike this year is impacting his ability to consistently fight in the way he did during those scintillating opening laps at Mugello.
"I got stuck behind the two brothers. I was there watching them and unable to do anything, as always. It’s always the same," Bagnaia said.
"I’m stuck there, at 0.7, 0.8 [seconds behind] and I try to close the gap to 0.2, 0.3, and the front starts to understeer everywhere, and I need to wait and slow down a bit.
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Bagnaia 'unable to do anything' to compete with Marquez brothers - 'Always the same'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It’s a shame because I know I can fight for wins. I know I can be there fighting. But this season, for some reason, I don’t have the feeling to fight.
"I don’t have the same feeling with my bike. It’s strange, but it is what it is."
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