Two days after losing the title, Francesco Bagnaia tested the Ducati Desmosedici GP25 in Barcelona. He has a good first assessment and is satisfied with having the same feeling as Marc Marquez, which means that the direction to take is clear.
Number 1 removed with his own hands: “I wanted to remove it myself and not let someone else do it. I had put number 1 on this fairing and it was only right that I removed it. I'm not the type to get frustrated, I know why I lost and I don't want to make excuses. I had already accepted it after Malaysia, with 24 points behind, it was difficult to think that I could beat Jorge. Monday I went to eat in Barcelona, in a restaurant by the sea, and then I started walking, I must have covered around ten kilometers. It helped me. »
A good first assessment: “It was a positive day because we tested everything that needed to be tested and, above all, it became clear what the engineers will have to focus on in winter. Furthermore, Marc and I had the same feelings and that undoubtedly made a difference in terms of work. I'm happy because when a new bike starts at a good level, it's always positive, it means that it is well born and that it has potential. »
Things to improve and the upcoming Sepang test: “There is still work to do, because in certain aspects, I still prefer the GP24, especially when entering corners and braking. We will have to work a little on this, while in terms of speed and stability the GP25 is already at a good level. I also liked the chassis and the engine: they did a good job. We already have a pretty good foundation. If I had to race tomorrow I would of course use the GP24, but the potential of the new bike is good. »
“The difference with the 2024 bike is already quite big and I don't think there will be a big step forward for Sepang. We've done it before, we just have to adapt. The GP23 and GP24 were very similar. Even then, while testing the new bike, I noticed a lot of difference. »
Working with Marc Marquez: “Not a piece of advice (laughs). But our words coincide a lot, the demands are the same. This speeds up the work because we are looking for the same things. This doesn't surprise me because we have two different riding styles, but when it comes to braking we are very similar. We are two drivers who rely a lot on the brakes, putting a lot of force on them, so we were looking for the same sensations. »
The radio test was not at all convincing: “It’s not ready yet. It's annoying, I don't like it, it's very bulky, the connection cable is very big and it could also be dangerous. Plus it doesn't work, I don't hear anything and it bothers me. Until it's ready, I won't use it. »
Better to test in Barcelona than in Valencia: “This circuit is better in more ways than one. There are long straights, there is little grip, the layout is better. Valencia is a very special circuit and that doesn't help much when you have to try a new bike. (…) I must admit that testing without being world champion also allows you to concentrate more on the bike. When we arrive after winning, we are undoubtedly happier, but less focused.
