¬ August 31th 2026
A difficult weekend for Pecco Bagnaia in Aragón: after qualifying eighth and finishing 11th in the Sprint, Sunday’s race ended with a crash. In Moto2, Ivan Ortolá was instead the star of a great comeback, moving from 15th on the grid to a fifth-place finish. Great job, Ivan!
The Aragón Grand Prix ended on a challenging note for our Suomy Rider Pecco Bagnaia. On the technical and spectacular MotorLand Aragón circuit, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider faced a weekend marked by a lack of feeling and, above all, persistent rear grip issues, a problem that had already emerged during Friday’s opening sessions and has remained a recurring issue throughout the 2026 season. After a difficult Friday, which saw him finish 13th and forced to go through Q1, Pecco reacted on Saturday by successfully making it through to Q2 and securing eighth place on the grid. In the Sprint, however, difficulties with traction under acceleration prevented him from expressing his full potential, leaving him to finish in 11th position. Sunday’s main race, which had started with a strong launch, unfortunately came to an end on lap six after a crash forced Bagnaia to retire. There was plenty to celebrate in Moto2, however, with Ivan Ortolà putting together a weekend full of character and an incredible comeback during the race.
SPRINT RACE
It was therefore a difficult weekend for our Pecco. Despite the challenges, he once again showed his determination not to give up and to continue working closely with the team to come through a difficult phase of the season. Saturday at the Aragón Grand Prix represented a reaction day for Pecco Bagnaia after the difficulties encountered during Friday’s practice. Forced to go through Q1 after finishing Friday in 13th position, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider managed to find a positive direction in his work with the team, securing a place in Q2.
Bagnaia finished qualifying in eighth position, just 0.709 seconds away from pole position. The Sprint, however, proved more challenging. Starting from eighth on the grid, Pecco was unable to maintain the pace of the leading group, struggling particularly with traction when exiting corners. After eleven laps, the Italian rider crossed the finish line in 11th position.
– Sprint Race 11° –
“Today was better than yesterday. This morning we managed to improve a few aspects of the bike and qualifying wasn’t bad. I was definitely expecting something more, but for the first time this weekend I managed to have a good feeling with the bike. We need to keep working. The pace this morning wasn’t bad and was definitely better than in the Sprint. We need to understand the reason for this change ahead of tomorrow’s race, because this afternoon I struggled with traction.”
RACE
Sunday’s main race unfortunately came to an early end for Pecco Bagnaia. Starting from eighth position, the Ducati rider made a good start and immediately tried to stay with the group ahead. However, the rear grip issue remained evident throughout the main race, particularly during acceleration. This difficulty affected Pecco’s pace from the opening laps and forced him to adopt a more conservative approach to power delivery. On lap six, while running in seventh position, Bagnaia crashed at the little Corkscrew, bringing his race to an early end. It was a bitter ending to a weekend in which the Italian rider, together with his team, had worked hard to find a solution to the difficulties he was experiencing with the feeling of the Desmosedici GP26. The Aragón result does not, however, overshadow the determination shown by Pecco and the team in their efforts to find a way out of this particularly challenging phase. The work will continue at the upcoming rounds, with the aim of progressively regaining competitiveness and confidence.
– Race DNF –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I made a reasonably good start and tried to follow the group in front of me, but I wasn’t competitive enough to do so, especially under acceleration. I had no grip and, after just five laps, I had already changed the engine mapping to preserve the tyres. I was simply trying to maintain the pace and, unfortunately, I crashed at a point where I had already had a warning on the previous lap. I lost the rear when I leaned to the left and, when I recovered it, I lost the front. Unfortunately, when I try to push, I end up risking a crash.”
MOTO 2
There was plenty to celebrate in Moto2 with Ivan Ortolà, who put together a weekend full of character. The Spanish rider got his weekend off to the best possible start, setting the fastest time in Friday’s practice and establishing a new MotorLand Aragón lap record with a time of 1:49.791. The result confirmed his speed and competitiveness, despite a qualifying session that saw him start from 15th on the grid. It was far from an ideal situation, particularly on a track where starting position can play an important role in race management. In the race, however, Ivan responded like a true protagonist. Lap after lap, he made up ground, overtaking his rivals with pace, determination and excellent race management. His comeback took him all the way to fifth position at the chequered flag, just 3.262 seconds behind the winner. The fifth-place finish is even more impressive considering his starting position and the level of competitiveness he demonstrated throughout the weekend. Ortolà showed speed, maturity and an ability to react under pressure, allowing him to make up an impressive ten positions. The Aragón weekend therefore represents another important step forward in Ivan Ortolà’s development. The record set in practice, his ability to bounce back from a difficult qualifying session and his superb comeback in the race are clear signs of a rider who is becoming increasingly competitive and determined to establish himself at the front of the Moto2 field. Now Ivan lowers the visor of his Suomy S1-XR GP and turns his focus to the next round at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
¬ July 13th 2026
Pecco Scores Again. Ivan Ortolá Dominates Moto2 at Sachsenring to Claim Victory!
"I knew I was going to struggle here, but I was still hoping for something different. Unfortunately, this year I find all the long, fast corners particularly difficult because I'm lacking rear grip, and whenever I try to push a little harder, the rear steps out." These were the words that opened the race weekend for our Suomy rider, Pecco Bagnaia. Friday's practice sessions already painted the picture of what was expected to be a particularly demanding weekend for the Ducati rider.
Located on the outskirts of Hohenstein-Ernstthal in the state of Saxony, around 100 kilometers from Dresden, the Sachsenring is a slow and highly technical circuit. Run in an anti-clockwise direction, it features ten left-hand corners and only four right-handers, with just one significant straight. These characteristics make it a particularly challenging track given Pecco's current feeling with the Ducati. Despite the difficulties, Bagnaia managed to secure ninth place on the starting grid and gained positions in both the Sprint Race and Sunday's Grand Prix. Meanwhile, in Moto2, our rider Ivan Ortolá repeated the outstanding performance he delivered in Brno, dominating the weekend from the Practice sessions and eventually taking a superb victory.
Practice Statement
Francesco Bagnaia #63 Ducati Lenovo Team - 13º
"I knew I was going to struggle here, but I was still hoping for something different. Unfortunately, this year all the long corners are difficult for me because I'm missing rear grip, and when I try to push a bit harder, the rear steps out. On this track, lap time is made in the two long middle sectors, and today I risked several highsides. Tomorrow we'll go back to our base setup because today we tried four different solutions to find more rear grip. We're analysing the situation, comparing our data with the riders who have more grip, and working on the electronics."
SPRINT RACE
A difficult Saturday, but one faced with determination and composure. Francesco Bagnaia finished the German Grand Prix Sprint Race in seventh place, a result that only partially reflects the hard work carried out by our rider on the demanding Sachsenring circuit. Starting from tenth on the grid after a qualifying session below expectations, Bagnaia fought his way up to seventh, collecting valuable championship points despite still lacking the ideal feeling with his Ducati. The Italian champion once again struggled with persistent rear grip issues, a problem that had already emerged during practice and that significantly limited his performance, especially through the many flowing corners of the German circuit. Despite these challenges, the Sprint Race highlighted both Bagnaia's determination and the team's ability to react, constantly working to identify the technical solutions needed ahead of Sunday's race. His comeback from the middle of the pack once again demonstrated the fighting spirit of the Italian rider, who never stopped searching for the best possible pace until the chequered flag.
– Sprint Race 7° –
"I'm still struggling with rear grip. Qualifying is where the problem is at its worst, and we could only manage eleventh place. I got a good start in the Sprint and managed to follow the riders ahead until the grip dropped. Unfortunately, I can't make the rear slide like the other Ducati riders because if I do, I can't accelerate the way I'd like. I tried to stay with Martín, but to do so I had to take a few too many risks. Seventh place is a good compromise considering the difficulties we're facing."
RACE
Francesco Bagnaia concluded the German Grand Prix, the eleventh round of the MotoGP World Championship, with a solid sixth-place finish. It was a determined performance despite never fully recovering the ideal feeling with his Ducati Desmosedici. After finishing seventh in Saturday's Sprint Race, Bagnaia showed encouraging progress on Sunday. The two-time MotoGP World Champion steadily worked his way through the field lap after lap, eventually crossing the finish line in sixth, just outside the top five. The result once again underlined the commitment of both the Italian rider and the Ducati team, who spent the entire weekend searching for the best setup on one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar. Rear grip issues and tyre wear continued to affect the bike's performance and, consequently, our rider's competitiveness. The German Grand Prix provided valuable information for the remainder of the season. The team's potential remains intact, and the work completed at Sachsenring will prove important as preparations begin for the upcoming races. With plenty of races still to come, Francesco Bagnaia is already looking ahead to the next Grand Prix with the clear objective of returning to fight consistently for podiums and victories. The entire Suomy team will be cheering him on.
– Race 6° –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
"Sixth place isn't a bad result considering how much we struggled. Unfortunately, the problem is always the same, and it was particularly evident on this circuit. We will continue working, and I hope that during the summer break we can find something that helps. That said, we've improved in many areas; we're only missing the most important one, and that's not easy to solve. For us, it's essential to be able to use the rear of the bike without it sliding so much. Our goal is to get back to winning and consistently fighting for top results."
MOTO 2
A perfect weekend, crowned by a commanding performance and a victory built on talent, determination and composure. Iván Ortolá was the undisputed star of the Moto2 German Grand Prix, taking a brilliant victory at Sachsenring after controlling the race from start to finish. After claiming his first-ever Moto2 pole position while also setting a new lap record, our rider confirmed his outstanding pace in the race, maintaining the lead from the very first lap. It was a victory that was never truly under threat, thanks to consistent pace, flawless tyre management and exceptional composure during the decisive moments of the race.
"This is a special victory, the one I had been waiting for. Winning from pole, controlling the race and defending first place until the final lap is an incredible feeling," Ortolá said after the race. "We worked extremely well throughout the weekend, and the team gave me everything I needed to perform at my best. This victory is the reward for everyone's hard work."
This marks Ortolá's second victory in the last three races, further confirming the outstanding form of the young Spanish rider. His Sachsenring performance provides a major confidence boost ahead of the second half of the season, where he aims to establish himself among the leading contenders in the Moto2 class while closing the gap to the championship leaders. Speed, maturity and excellent race management made the difference on one of the most technical circuits on the calendar, once again confirming the talent of our Suomy rider.
¬ June 29th 2026
NETHERLANDS ON THE RISE…. BUT WITH A HAPPY ENDING AND A BABY BOY TO CELEBRATE
Pecco Bagnaia knows full well that the Netherlands is famous for two things: vast flatlands and tulips. Hills? Not a chance. A country as flat as they come, with large areas even lying below sea level. Yet over the past weekend, this corner of the Netherlands proved that, metaphorically speaking, it can still present long, steep, exhausting climbs. Pecco knows that now too, because what initially looked like a fairly promising race weekend ultimately ended in a way no one had hoped for.
His performance was below par and ended in a retirement from Sunday's race due, once again, to a technical issue. That's it, as the most fatalistic and blunt observers would say... Things went better in Moto2, where our Suomy rider, Ivan Ortolà, secured an excellent fifth-place finish. Would he have hoped for more after his stunning victory in Brno? Yes, but that's it!
What really matters at the end of this round is not the sporting result, but the happy news of the arrival of little Oliviero, son of Domizia and Pecco. The entire Suomy team is delighted and wishes the Bagnaia family all the best. Congratulations, guys!
Francesco Bagnaia #63 Ducati Lenovo Team - 5º
"It was an eventful session. I expected a bit more from the first run with the soft tyre, but a change we made didn't work as we had hoped, so we went back to the previous setup and also opted for the medium rear tyre. In the third run, with a used medium tyre, the feeling was better. During the first time attack I wasn't comfortable with the rear, while on the second attempt I found yellow flags. When I went back out after the red flag, with a tyre already on its fourth lap, I didn't think I'd be able to make it into Q2, but I pushed as hard as I could and in the end we posted a good lap. The main goal for tomorrow is to secure a front-row start."
SPRINT RACE
Second in Free Practice, after having a time attack cancelled because of yellow flags, Bagnaia made the most of his final attempt and qualified fifth. In other words: he lined up in the middle of the second row. A solid starting position to try and gain places from the very first corner, which at Assen is a right-hander.
On paper, that was the plan... and rightly so! But every start tells its own story, and in the Assen Sprint our Pecco began to realize that there really are plenty of uphill battles in the Netherlands. At Turn 1, Bagnaia found himself down in seventh place. He managed to move up to sixth, but while trying to take fifth position he exceeded track limits at the final chicane and was handed a one-position penalty.
– Sprint Race 7° –
"With a better start, the race would have been very different, but I made a small mistake that almost resulted in a jump start. We had good pace, as we have had in every session so far, but unfortunately it took me a while to get past Marc. Once I overtook him, I was able to catch Martín very quickly. As for the position I lost, on the exit I had to move slightly to the inside because I was almost about to run into him, as he was slower on corner exit. Half of my tyre was on the kerb, but the penalty was still applied. For tomorrow we need to solve a small issue concerning the vibrations I'm feeling at Turns 7 and 15, but apart from that the pace is good and we're competitive on the medium tyre."
RACE
We said it before: one uphill battle after another. From fifth in qualifying, to seventh in the Sprint, to a "DNF" in Sunday's race. Since 2022 at Assen, Pecco had always finished on the podium, often on the top step. But 2026 has been a season full of twists and turns.
The race had actually started well, with our Pecco tucked in behind his teammate during the opening stages. Then came an overtake on Marc on lap ten, a move that looked set to earn Pecco a solid fourth place. But, as we've said, Assen 2026 was all about uphill battles. Five laps later, Bagnaia began suffering from a serious technical issue that made it impossible to slow the bike down and stop it properly through the slower corners. At that point, there was nothing left to do but retire.
At the end of the tenth Grand Prix of the season, Francesco Bagnaia sits eighth in the standings, 23 points behind his teammate.
– Race DNF –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
"I certainly didn't expect to end the race with a retirement. After the Sprint I had very positive feelings for the full-distance race, and we had the potential to be competitive. I got a decent start, tried to stay in touch with the leaders straight away and planned to recover a few positions during the closing stages while battling in the group. But I wasn't riding the way I wanted to—I was struggling to slow the bike down and get it stopped. Just after halfway through the race, unfortunately, the situation became too difficult to manage and there was no way I could continue. I'm really disappointed to have ended the weekend like this, especially here at Assen."
MOTO 2
Fifteenth on the starting grid. For our Ivan, the title of this weekend could well have been "From the Stars to the Back of the Grid." Then the lights went out, and our Suomy Rider left everyone speechless by gaining no fewer than eight positions before the end of the very first corner. He passed two more riders shortly afterwards, and from there the race showcased Ivan's ability to hold on to the positions he had gained, allowing him to finish this tenth round of the season inside the points with an encouraging fifth-place result.
¬ June 22nd 2026
The Champions’ Weekend
There are days to remember. Days worth framing. And then there are those days that deliver sporting achievements so great, and in some ways so unexpected, that they almost seem unreal.
The weekend just gone was nothing short of thrilling for everyone who loves, follows, and works within the MotoGP paddock. It was even more special for the Suomy team, who had the privilege of applauding a solid, incredibly effective Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, victorious throughout the weekend (and not only in the Sprint), as well as Moto2 rider Ivàn Ortolà, who secured his first-ever Moto2 victory.
Bagnaia, sixth in Free Practice, remained inside the top ten for most of the Practice sessions, climbing to third place in the closing stages before finishing fourth. In the Sprint he beat everyone, while in Sunday’s race he led for several laps before eventually crossing the line in third position.
Francesco Bagnaia #63 Ducati Lenovo Team - 4º
"I'm happy with today's results. We were competitive, but we still need to keep working on the feeling with the bike. We need to improve corner entry to allow me to turn the bike better without the rear sliding away. That's still a limitation, but we've definitely made progress. We'll also need to make a decision regarding the tyre because the soft compound is certainly much more competitive, but the drop in grip is really significant. We're doing a great job, and I believe we have the potential to be fast and achieve a strong result."
SPRINT RACE
Francesco Bagnaia returned to centre stage with a performance full of maturity and determination, claiming a crucial victory at the end of a race managed intelligently from start to finish.The Suomy rider built his success thanks to a perfect launch from third on the grid, immediately taking the lead into Turn 1 and imposing his pace from the very beginning.
Once at the front, Pecco expertly managed the wear of the soft tyre, creating a valuable gap in the opening laps and maintaining control of the race despite increasing pressure from his rivals. In the closing stages, he was forced to defend his lead with determination, resisting every attack and taking the chequered flag in first place after a performance of the highest level.
A victory with strong symbolic value as well as sporting significance: a result that confirms the competitiveness of the Italian champion and reignites his ambitions, rewarding the work carried out together with the team and his ability to react during the most challenging moments of the season.
It was a display of strength, character and race management that returned the number 63 to the top step of the podium and brought renewed enthusiasm to the entire Ducati garage.
It is worth noting that throughout this season Pecco had already shown he could excel in Sprint races, while the longer races had often proved more difficult. Here in Brno, however, the Suomy rider delivered an outstanding performance in Sunday's Grand Prix as well.
– Sprint Race 1° –
"It was a difficult day: in qualifying I made a mistake at
"I'm happy. We've been competitive since yesterday. After trying a change that didn't work as we had hoped, we went back to yesterday's setup for qualifying and everything went well. We then decided to go with the soft tyre, aiming to be faster during the first two or three laps and manage the advantage later in the race. The strategy worked, and that gives us great motivation for tomorrow. I'm still not completely comfortable with the setup, but I love this track and we'll continue working ahead of the race, especially to manage rear tyre wear as effectively as possible."
RACE
Francesco Bagnaia completed the Czech Republic Grand Prix with a valuable third-place finish at the end of an intense and action-packed race.
The Ducati Lenovo Team rider was one of the main protagonists not only in Saturday's Sprint but also in Sunday's full-length race. During the opening stages, he led the field, once again demonstrating both speed and consistency in race pace management.
Starting from the front rows, Bagnaia immediately took control of the race, setting a strong pace that allowed him to maintain the lead throughout the first half of the contest. From lap sixteen onwards, he was overtaken by one rival and then another, but he continued fighting for the top positions.
In the closing stages, the two-time MotoGP World Champion showed great determination, successfully fending off attacks from riders behind him who were battling for a podium finish, ultimately holding on to third place until the chequered flag.
The result confirms the positive progress shown throughout the weekend and allows Bagnaia to add valuable points to his championship tally. After the ninth round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, the Italian rider sits seventh in the standings, just thirteen points behind his teammate.
A podium built on determination and character that once again confirms Bagnaia's competitiveness.
At the end of the ninth Grand Prix of the season, Francesco Bagnaia is seventh in the championship standings, 13 points behind his teammate.
– Race 3° –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
"I feel good. We've had a positive weekend and we're improving. We're still missing something, especially with used tyres, but we're getting closer. Today we were missing about six laps. I tried to manage the pace as best as possible, knowing I was lacking one or two tenths. In the final stages I had to slow down because whenever I was in the slipstream, I kept losing the front. Once I found myself back in clean air, I was able to push again, and fortunately I had a good margin over Diggia at the end. The fact that I was able to recover the pace is a positive sign, but we still have work to do."
MOTO 2
This is a weekend that our Ivàn Ortolà will never forget.
The Spaniard finally claimed his first Moto2 victory thanks to a sensational overtaking move at the final corner of the final lap, passing the rider who had led the race up to that point.
It was a masterful move from the Suomy rider, who managed to win despite having to serve a Long Lap Penalty during the opening laps. Even that was executed perfectly: Ortolà lost only one and a half seconds and recovered the deficit within just a few laps.
Ivàn had already attempted an attack with four laps remaining, but his rival successfully defended. However, the final move proved unstoppable. Ortolà dived to the inside during the change of direction and crossed the finish line first under the chequered flag.
Another exciting weekend! Pecco Bagnaia rode a superb race and took third place in the Grand Prix!
Ivàn Ortolà, meanwhile, crashed while trying to climb the standings...
The excitement of the Mugello podium was still palpable in the Ducati garage set up on the Hungarian track, which joined the MotoGP calendar last year. A few days after his second consecutive podium, right in front of the Italian fans, our Pecco Bagnaia returned to work, focused on closing the gap to the leaders and returning to prominence not only in the race but also in the championship standings.
Bagnaia returned to the top ten at the end of FP1: his time attack, however, was hindered by a mistake at Turn 16, which compromised his chances of qualifying directly for Q2. In any case, he finished fifth on the starting grid. However, he crossed the checkered flag in the Sprint race only in ninth place, while the race itself told a completely different story, and our Suomy Rider was able to lift the trophy for third place.
Francesco Bagnaia #63 Ducati Lenovo Team
"The podium at Mugello gave me a great boost: we need to start from here. We've made some steps forward, especially on Sunday for the race, and we need to continue working hard to close the gap. Last year on this track, I struggled a lot in both races, even gaining confidence and pace with the new track. We arrive here after two overall good races, and we need to reconfirm all the feelings we've had."
SPRINT RACE
The fast races he's had so far have certainly not been suited to our Pecco. This is due to the bike, the tires, the setup, in short, the entire package offered to our Pecco and the feeling he's managed to develop with it. There were a few rare exceptions, like at Le Mans, Jerez, and in America. Here too, on the Hungarian circuit, Francesco finished the race almost on the edge of the points zone, despite starting from fifth on the grid, the second row of the grid. Our driver, also due to the fact that he got stuck on the outside of Turn One immediately after the start, was unable to move up and finished ninth.
RACE
The start of Sunday's race at Balaton Park was full of twists, sighs, and scares. The first corner saw a group crash, but fortunately, our Pecco Bagnaia was very fortunate in his misfortune. When the lights went out, his start wasn't one to be remembered or talked about for a few weeks. He got off to a poor start, but this small debacle allowed him to avoid being caught up in the group crash at the first right-hander. Bagnaia, having thus avoided the major collision, climbed to third place on the first lap, managing the situation well and holding steady in that position without being caught by the opponents behind him, but also without being able to imagine catching the top two ahead of him. He then managed the race with experience and intelligence, securing a third-place finish in a row and bringing home important points for the overall standings.
At the end of the eighth Grand Prix of the season, Francesco Bagnaia is seventh, nine points behind his teammate.
Francesco Bagnaia
– Sprint Race 9° –
"It was a difficult day: in qualifying I made a mistake at
“We had the pace to be further ahead, but it's a shame about the start. The conditions today were unusual: if you find yourself behind, it's difficult to overtake. I'm braking very hard, but on the exit, when I'm trying to find speed, the rear of my bike goes off and I end up losing a lot of ground. Today, Marc made a step forward in terms of grip, and I hope we can do the same for tomorrow's race. Fortunately, we did well in qualifying, especially getting through Q1: a fifth place, given the characteristics of the circuit and my riding style, is a very good result. The goal now is to finish top five in the race as well.”
– Race 3° –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
"The first goal today was to get a better start than yesterday: fortunately, there was a bit of spinning when I first released the clutch, otherwise I probably would have been involved in the crash on Turn 1 as well. I was able to immediately pass Moreira and Marini and then tried to follow Pedro (Acosta), but unfortunately I wasn't able to lap at their times because I continued to struggle with grip. When they started pushing harder, I focused mainly on managing my advantage over my pursuers. The podium is a good result, especially after the difficult start to the weekend, because these are important points. We need to continue working on grip and gear shift stability for the next races."
MOTO 2
The Hungarian weekend for our Ivan Ortolà will definitely be remembered forever. To be fair, free practice hadn't gone so badly, with points-scoring times. But timed practice proved to be a trap for our driver, who couldn't climb higher than eighteenth on the grid, relegating him to the last spot on the penultimate row.
The race went even worse because Ivan crashed, hitting another driver. Fortunately, neither driver suffered any serious injuries. Too bad... all that's left is to get ready to cheer for the Czech Republic race on June 19th.
June 2nd, 2026
Pecco Bagnaia finishes on the third step of the podium despite a lack of grip!
Ivan Ortolá races like a true leader but is stopped by tire issues and a technical problem. A weekend lived on the edge of your seat.
The Mugello weekend lived up to expectations. Pecco thrilled the fans with an outstanding performance, consistently running among the front-runners from the Free Practice sessions onward. Third fastest in Free Practice 2, sixth in Q2, seventh in the Sprint, and a well-deserved third place in the main race despite clear grip issues and after leading the field for more than half the race. A great performance for Suomy in Moto2 as well, where Ivan Ortolá managed the race like a leader, showing impressive speed, focus, and physical preparation. Unfortunately, first tire degradation and then a technical problem forced him to retire with two laps remaining.
SPRINT RACE
The Italian Grand Prix weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello delivered intense emotions for the fans of Francesco Bagnaia. The Ducati rider was the protagonist of two very different races, showing character and resilience in front of his home crowd.
Saturday’s Sprint race did not smile on Bagnaia. Starting from the last spot of the second row with the sixth-fastest qualifying time, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider lost ground in the opening stages after a difficult start and quickly found himself stuck in the pack. Despite having competitive race pace, Pecco was unable to recover enough positions to join the fight for the podium, crossing the finish line in seventh place.
RACE
In Sunday’s main race, Bagnaia stepped up a gear. After a more effective start than on Saturday, the Italian champion remained consistently among the front-runners. From the third lap onward, he led the race, steadily increasing his advantage lap after lap. From lap thirteen, however, Pecco began to suffer from a lack of rear grip. Despite this, he was highly motivated and determined to give his fans something to cheer about. Once again, he demonstrated his determination and ability to fight at the highest level, even during a weekend made particularly challenging by the speed of rival bikes and grip-related issues.
Bagnaia ultimately secured a valuable third-place finish, resisting Ogura’s final attacks and giving Ducati an important podium result at its home Grand Prix. The podium at Mugello confirms his competitiveness and represents an encouraging sign ahead of the upcoming rounds of the championship.
Francesco Bagnaia
– Sprint Race 7° –
"It was a difficult day: in qualifying I made a mistake at Turn 10 during the time attack, and without it I believe I could have secured a front-row start. Unfortunately, unlike yesterday, I struggled to be effective at the start this morning, and the same thing happened in the Sprint. I lost several positions off the line, and then I tried to recover as many places as possible. We have the pace to do well, as we showed at the end, but we need to keep working to improve our starts, also because overtaking has become more difficult than in the past."
– Race 3° –
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
"It was a very intense race. I gave everything I had, as was only right, and perhaps even a little more than usual. This morning we made a step forward with the starts, improving an aspect of the electronics that helped me a lot. The goal from the very beginning was to take the lead and manage the race, and I succeeded for half of it. Then, however, rear grip started to drop, and after being overtaken by Bezzecchi, I decided not to push excessively anymore: I believe it was the right decision. Despite the improvements, we are still struggling with tire wear and grip, especially through the corners, but we must continue working in this direction."
MOTO 2
Against the backdrop of an extraordinary crowd and on a circuit that rewards talent, courage, and precision, our young Spanish rider Ivàn Ortolà showed determination and a fighting spirit throughout the entire weekend. From the very first sessions, Ortolà worked intensively with the team to find the best setup for a technical and extremely fast track like Mugello, characterized by continuous changes of direction and one of the longest straights in the championship. Session after session, the rider showed steady progress, confirming both his adaptability and his determination to keep growing in a highly competitive category such as Moto2.
In the race, Ortolà fought hard from the first lap to the last, once again demonstrating the grit that sets him apart. Ivan held a solid second position until just a few laps from the finish, when a lack of grip and a mechanical issue forced him to retire.
The Tuscan weekend confirmed the qualities of a rider who continues to mature race after race. Speed, adaptability, and a positive mindset remain the key elements of Ortolà’s development path, as he becomes increasingly focused on establishing himself among the category’s leading contenders. With his eyes already set on the upcoming Grands Prix, Ivàn Ortolà continues his Moto2 journey with the determination of someone who wants to keep improving and achieve ever more significant results.
¬ August 19th 2024
Another flawless weekend where our rider not only won but completely dominated both the Sprint Race and the main Sunday race. Francesco Bagnaia, who has been unbeaten on the Austrian circuit since 2022, led both races from start to finish, showcasing his outstanding mental and physical condition, as well as a perfect synergy with his Desmosedici GP24. After the eleventh Grand Prix of the MotoGP World Championship, Bagnaia sits at the top of the riders' standings with 275 points, holding a five-point lead over Martín.
SPRINT RACE
Francesco Bagnaia dominated Saturday’s Sprint Race, crossing the finish line with nearly a five-second lead over his closest competitor.
Starting from the second position, Bagnaia took the lead at the entrance to the first corner. After briefly losing the lead, he regained it on the second lap, and his advantage grew exponentially after his rival Martín was forced to serve a long-lap penalty on the eighth lap. With this victory, Pecco and his S1-XR GP reclaimed the top spot in the riders' standings.
RACE
A flawless performance in every respect. Our Suomy Rider, starting from the second position on the grid, took the lead at the beginning of the second lap.
Pecco set the pace, consistently extending his lead over the chasing pack, eventually crossing the finish line with more than a three-second advantage over his main title rival. This victory marks five consecutive wins across both sprint and full races. At the close of the eleventh Grand Prix of the MotoGP World Championship, Bagnaia remains at the top of the riders' standings with 275 points.
Francesco Bagnaia
– Sprint Race 1th –
“I enjoyed a lot the battle today as, while doing so, I managed to lap in 1:28.7 which was two tenths faster than last year’s pole position time. This is incredible: I knew it was important to lead from the start and Jorge (Martín) tried everything to stay ahead. I tried to overtake him but then he ended up wide. As soon as it happened, I checked the gap and I saw that he was 0.3secs behind, meaning he hadn’t lost one second, so I was sure he would likely end up receiving the long-lap penalty. Then it was all about managing the gap at the front. All in all, it was a fantastic win and I now have plenty of data for tomorrow’s full race. It still won’t be easy, but right now I’m very satisfied.
– Race 1th –
“It was a really tight race. I tried to get in the lead from the start as I knew I had a good pace, while trying to manage a pace that was slightly faster than Martín’s. When I saw that he slowed down a little, I tried to keep the same rhythm for another four-five laps in order to bring my lead to at least 1.5seconds. From then on it was a lot easier as in the final laps: the grip level had dropped a lot and the rear was spinning picking up the bike on corner exit and it was overall hard to manage the situation, as you never know what can happen. I’m extremely happy because this is the third consecutive year for us winning at Spielberg and I’d like to thank Ducati and the Academy for the work we do together every day.”
World Standings P. 1
Next Round:
GP Gran Premio de Aragon
📍 MotorLand Aragón
⏱ August 30 th - September 1 th
¬ July 8th 2024
Pecco strings together one victory after another and finally climbs to the top of the championship. Four consecutive wins, the latest being this weekend on the German track of Sachsenring. A 3671-meter-long circuit, with a rather linear layout and high average speeds. Our Suomy Rider, Francesco Bagnaia, has shown an unbeatable level of physical and mental form against his rivals. Pecco managed to secure third place in Saturday's Sprint Race but dominated the Sunday race, standing on the top step of the podium, raising our Suomy S1 XR GP to the sky, which is now available in all stores.
SPRINT RACE
Francesco Bagnaia, starting from the fourth grid slot, made a perfect start and managed to take the lead of the race already at the first corner. Our world champion maintained the lead until the fourth lap when he was overtaken by Martín and then by Oliveira, who took advantage of the situation. Pecco finished the 15-lap Sprint Race at Sachsenring in third place.
RACE
Francesco Bagnaia is the most successful Ducati rider in MotoGP history and regains the top spot in the riders' standings with our S1 XR GP, the new FIM-approved racing helmet. It was a spectacular race, full of overtakes and emotions. During the Sprint Race, Pecco managed to take the lead right from the first corner, while during the Sunday race he passed the first corner in third position. However, it only took him two laps to take the lead, first overtaking Oliveira and then Martín. In the course of the sixth lap, however, Pecco was overtaken again by Martín and shortly after by Morbidelli. Only halfway through the race did our champion manage to reclaim second place. From there, a beautiful battle ensued between Bagnaia and Martín, with seven-tenths separating them. The twist came at the first braking of the penultimate lap when Martín slipped. Pecco thus secured his sixth win of the season in the Sunday race, on the day of his 200th Grand Prix career start. Bagnaia is now at the top of the riders' standings with a 10-point lead over Martín.
The next appointment is in just under a month (from August 2 to 4) for the Monster Energy British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Francesco Bagnaia
– Sprint Race 3th –
“We had a great start, then when I saw that Oliveira was about to make a move on Martín, I knew they would have both gone wide, so I dove in. I was doing a good job, but maybe I chose to save the rear tyre a bit too much in order to be in the best condition at the end of the race; I believe Jorge understood that and he took the opportunity to overtake me, also because I think it that one or two laps later it would have been a lot harder for him to do so. The fact that I didn’t exploit the tyre more was my mistake, as the drop in terms of grip happened to everyone. At some point in the race, overtaking is a lot more difficult due to the front tyre pressure. I tried to regain my position as soon as possible, but the front tyre had already become difficult to manage.”
– Race 1th –
“We were both on thin ice in the last laps, as the front kept tucking and the rear sliding, we had no traction left and we were still lapping in the 21.0/21.1s, so it was really tough. The lap before Jorge’s (Martín) crash I also lost the front, but I managed to save the day by running a bit wider. It was clear that the first to give up would have lost and truthfully, I believe it could have happened to any of us. We didn’t have the easiest start to the season, but we did an incredible job and even here, where we weren’t the strongest, we still managed to put ourselves in the condition to fight for the win. Today’s race craft was very important, as it had been in Barcelona: I saw that both Jorge and Franco (Morbidelli) were pushing a bit too much, but still it was a tough race and to come out victorious from it is simply fantastic.”
World Standings P. 1
Next Round:
Monster Energy British Grand Prix
📍 Silverstone
⏱ August 2 - 4 th
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