Bagnaia Confident of Overcoming Accident Trauma in Barcelona

Francesco Bagnaia has confirmed that his serious crash at Barcelona last season will not affect him this weekend.

AFP/JAVIER SORIANO

Ducati racer, Francesco Bagnaia, left the team garage during the practice session of the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix series at the Jerez de la Frontera Circuit, Spain on Friday (26/4/2024).

BARCELONA, THURSDAY — Francesco Bagnaia returned to Barcelona without the trauma of the serious accident at turn two that made him difficult until the end of last season. The Ducati factory team racer also confirmed that he already knew what caused the strange accident so that this weekend there would be no hesitation in stepping on the gas. He is also optimistic that the Desmosedici GP24 will be better on the Barcelona track, which has minimal traction.

Bagnaia suffered a single accident when exiting turn two in Barcelona after the race's start. He was thrown into the air before falling onto the asphalt and then his leg was crushed by KTM racer Brad Binder. The accident resulted in injuries to his right leg, causing the swelling that made it difficult to hit the brake. The accident was also thought to be the cause of his difficult times in the following series as he appeared hesitant to take risks.

Also read: Francesco Bagnaia: I Messed Up the Race

However, the condition could already be overcome by Bagnaia at the end of last season, allowing him to compete with Jorge Martin in the race for the championship title, which was determined at the closing series in Valencia. Bagnaia also confirmed that this weekend, he believes that the accident will not affect him.

”Firstly, I hope to finish it, at least finish three corners this season. But last season was good, the first two seasons in a row when we were very competitive, but then in Sunday's race we had some problems. And, we didn't have a chance to finish the race," said Bagnaia, who won pole position in Barcelona last season.

AFP/LOU BENOIST

The intense duel between Ducati Lenovo Team Italia racer Francesco Bagnaia (left) and Prima Pramac Racing Spanish racer Jorge Martin in the MotoGP Grand Prix race in France at the Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, France.

"Last season I was very competitive, I felt really good, I could compete with Aprilia. In the race on Sunday, with the medium rear tire, our potential could be very high, but it didn't happen," continued Bagnaia.

"Now it's a new season, with a new motor, which will help. Maybe we lack grip, but we can corner more easily. So, that could be a good compromise. But let's see, one thing's for sure, Aprilia will be a tough opponent to beat," said Bagnaia.

Also read: Francesco Bagnaia: Competition will be very tight

Ducati's strongest opponent in Barcelona last season was Aprilia. At that time, Espargaro won the sprint race and the main race. Apart from that, Maverick Vinales also finished in second place, making Aprilia's first one-two podium in MotoGP. It is believed that Aprilia's performance will remain high this season, but the Ducati riders are determined to beat the team from Noale.

Bagnaia was more focused on maximizing the performance of the Desmosedici GP24 in Barcelona and did not think about last season's serious accident.

AP/JOSE BRETON

Gresini Racing racer, Marc Marquez (left), accelerates his motorcycle followed by Ducati Lenovo racer, Francesco Bagnaia, in the main race of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix series at the Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on Sunday (28/4/2024).

"Last year was one of the toughest accidents in my career, it was big and unexpected. Binder crushed my leg, so it wasn't easy. But, that's in the past and I'm ready to fight against last year's accident. Now, I'm just focused on the present and I know exactly why I had an accident, what the reason was, and I'm sure one hundred percent that it won't affect this weekend," said Bagnaia.

The MotoGP champion of 2022 and 2023 is currently fighting for a victory as they are in second place in the standings, trailing 38 points behind Pramac Racing racer, Jorge Martin, who is in the top position of the standings with 129 points. Martin is currently in his best performance and will be very strong this weekend.