Bagnaia humiliated by MotoGP struggles

Factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia says he feels humiliated after reaching one of the lowest points of his sporting career. Following a weekend without a single point at MotorLand Aragon, the two-time MotoGP champion stated he sees no way out of his current struggles.

According to a report from Motorsport.com, Bagnaia endured a wretched weekend, finishing 11th in the sprint race before crashing out of Sunday's grand prix on lap six. His performance follows a similar non-score at the previous round in Silverstone, marking a sharp downturn since the summer break.

"I'm there giving everything I can," Bagnaia said. "We are all looking for a solution that doesn't come." He described the situation as mortifying. When pushing, he ends up lapping a second slower than the fastest riders. "It is perhaps one of the lowest moments of my sporting career," he admitted, "because I see no way out at the moment."

Persistent rear grip crisis

The core issue, according to Bagnaia, is a complete absence of rear grip. He revealed he had to switch to a less powerful engine map after just five laps in the race because the rear tire was finished. "The reality is that I have zero grip," he stated. "Completely zero grip." This loss of feeling led directly to his crash, where he first lost the rear before losing the front.

This problem has persisted throughout the 2026 season. The high-traction asphalt at Aragon, which usually aids grip, did nothing to help his situation. After struggling there, Bagnaia expressed deep concern for upcoming races on circuits with lower grip levels. "I don't know when we will arrive in other circuits where the level of grip is lower," he said. "So I can't imagine it."

Data reveals a disconnect

Bagnaia explained that reviewing data has only deepened his confusion. He compares current information with old data from when he was competitive. The techniques and lines other riders use now seem inaccessible to him on the current bike. "I'm in a situation where with today's bike I can't ride in a natural way," Bagnaia explained. When he attempts to adapt and push beyond his comfort zone, the result is a crash.

He emphasized the effort he has put in, making his lack of results even harder to accept. "I gave everything I could to Ducati, in all situations," he said. The disconnect between his effort and his performance is a source of significant frustration.

Battling renewed self-doubt

The current crisis has inevitably triggered memories of a difficult 2025 season, which featured six retirements in the last seven races. Asked if he is now doubting himself again, Bagnaia recalled how he overcame similar feelings last year. A test in Misano and a strong race in Japan eventually cleared his mind and proved he could still fight at the front.

"There I removed every single doubt and I saw that I just need to feel good and I'm still in the game to fight with the top three," he said. When asked if a repeat of that dominant Japanese performance is possible this season, his response was uncertain. "I don't know," Bagnaia said, "but I hope so." For now, the reigning champion sees no clear path forward from his humbling position.