Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati faced last chances of the season and tackled the issue of Italian corner entry from the race weekend during Monday’s official Masano test.
Fresh from the nightmare house weekend – from 13th place points in the sprint and then crashing from 7th place in the Grand Prix – Bagnaia had to make the most of the opportunity for the final test of the season.
For the first time this year, there were no signs of promise. Bagnaia finished with his eighth total on the sixth day with his grand prize winner in the afternoon session with his teammate Mark Marquez.
“I’m very pleased because I was able to concentrate more on this year’s package. Unlike in the past, I have to look elsewhere for performance, so I have to say that it’s not easy to figure out which direction it’s.
“We have tried a variety of solutions and changed our weight (balance) so that we can be used today. I have to say we understand something.”
Bagnaia, who crashed on Turn 1 at 1pm, was set before crashing on lap 27, but was a second faster than his best Grand Prix lap time – with older tires.
“I was very competitive. I was very fast in terms of pace. I had the best lap times on 21 laps on the tires, something I couldn’t do during the last race or season.
“It’s true that this truck is helping me a little, but aside from the crash, it was a really good day.
“We need to understand the situation better, so we don’t know if we can bring everything to Japan. But I’m sure we’re moving in the right direction.”
With some false dawns this season, the big question mark is whether Bagnaia can pick up where she left off in Japan’s MotoGP next weekend.
“I know. I think some solutions will definitely work, but others need to be explored in Japan in more detail. The direction we went today is something that doesn’t take long to be effective.”
Casey Stoner, 2025 San Marino Motogp
“I saw Casey work on a bike!”
Former Ducati World Champion Casey Stoner was seen supporting Bagnaia both inside and outside the pitbox.
“When I arrived this morning, I saw Casey working on a bike!” Bagnaia revealed.
“It’s great to have this kind of relationship with him. It also helps me a lot with Manu Poggiari (coach Ducati rider and former 125 and 250cc world champion).
“They have incredible eyes. They already knew what I felt on the bike, so it was great to have this kind of feedback from another perspective as well.
“And Casey has always been very analytical. Having him here today was very important to me.”
In the world championship rankings, Bagnaia, who lost contact with both his title-leading teammate and Gresini’s Alex Marquez, is just eight points ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Betzecchi in a close fight in third place.