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'Pecco is back' - Neil Hodgson predicts Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez rivalry could blossom
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Published 27/09/2025 at 08:36 GMT+1
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Francesco Bagnaia won his first MotoGP Sprint race of the season on Saturday at Grand Prix Japan. The Italian led from the front after securing pole position in qualifying earlier in the day. TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson hailed a winning return for the Italian, and said that Marc Marquez will want to beat his Ducati Lenovo team-mate in Sunday's race.
'That means a lot to everyone' - Bagnaia wins first Sprint win of season at Grand Prix Japan
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgson believes that Francesco Bagnaia is "back, and that’s a fact," after the two-time world champion won his first Sprint race of the season at Grand Prix Japan.
The Italian was dominant in qualifying as he secured pole, and he cruised to victory without ever giving up first place as he finished ahead of his Ducati Lenovo team-mate and rival, Marc Marquez, who came second.
Marquez could win his seventh MotoGP world title on Sunday if results go his way, and victory in the race would be his 100th in the discipline, giving him extra motivation to cross the line in first place.
Bagnaia has been overhauling his bike setup in recent weeks as he searched for a more comfortable ride, and despite recent disappointments there had been murmurs that he was happier with his bike.
That proved to be the case as the MotoGP tour left Europe for Asia this weekend, and he may now feel more confident about landing a win in the race on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Bagnaia sits third in the world title standings but at no point had he looked like rivalling Marquez for the championship.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the race, Hodgson was delighted for Bagnaia after struggling for so much of the season, saying that the rider would be thrilled to have that winning feeling once again in his career.
"That will feel unreal," he began. "He's had 30 Grand Prix wins in his career. I don't know how many sprints he's won. He's won a lot of races. This will feel so special.
"We saw the behind the scenes footage [of him] with Marc, talking about losing his confidence. If he was saying that outwardly, imagine the internal dialogue. There's nothing worse than seeing a champion in the doldrums, and he was in the doldrums.
"Pecco is back, and that is a fact."
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'It's fantastic to be back' - Resurgent Bagnaia celebrates pole at Grand Prix Japan
Video credit: TNT Sports
"That's what makes him the champion that he is" - Hodgson sees rivalry ahead
Marquez was seen congratulating his team-mate after the race, but Hodgson suggested that while the Spaniard may appear happy on Sunday if he comes second and wins the world title, he will in truth be disappointed given his determination to win.
The Spaniard has had little to worry about in terms of a title challenge from Bagnaia, but if he ends the season strongly then it may hint at a burgeoning rivalry for the 2026 season, with both riders attempting to secure glory for Ducati Lenovo.
"What we know is, Marc's goal tomorrow is to get his 100th Grand Prix victory and win the title with a big wheelie across the line," Hodgson said. "If he finishes second behind his team-mate, he'll act like it's the best thing ever, but he'll be bummed deep down.
"That's what makes him the champion that he is."
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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