Francesco Bagnaia confirmed that running a large 355mm disc on the factory Ducati improved the feeling of the front end during Aragon testing on Monday.
The Double World Champion has struggled to replicate his regular corner entry skills since stepping into the latest GP25, and tried out a big brake on Sunday morning.
After being inactive for the 12th time in Saturday’s sprint, the Italian looked like his normal self as he held back Pedro A Costa, who attacked behind the Grand Prix Marquez brothers.
But could he see the same feeling during Monday’s official test?
“Yes. I think this is the most positive test I’ve had this season,” Bagnaia responded after setting the ninth fastest lap time of 0.697 seconds from Tech3 KTM pacesetter Maverick Vinales.
“After yesterday’s race, I began to understand better and felt more confident about rap-by-lap.
“I was very happy today and was able to test the items, for example, Jerez couldn’t understand anything, so I am very pleased today.
“I was able to improve my lap times in both the morning and afternoon, with my final tyre rides, so this confidence and important thing was important to improve what I learned from yesterday. It’s very positive for me.”
Pecco Bagnaia: “I didn’t feel like I was running wide.”
Pecco Bagnaia
Bagnaia quized on how the large disc helped fill the gap he felt was suffering.
“I was braking on Saturday with a 340 (mm disc) and I didn’t stop the bike as soon as I released, so all the force was needed to stop the bike, and it was very difficult to manage and control the front tire.
“I went in and locked it, understood, but that was very difficult for me.
“The discs are continuing to get cold. You keep on brakeing hard, but they haven’t stopped.
“We then moved to the 355, which makes locking easier, but it is true that we can manage better, and it is more controllable.
“If I felt it was a little locked I could release a little, but I still kept on the brakes and I didn’t feel like I was driving a lot.
“It was much easier for me. Usually, last year, the 340 felt was something like this for me.”
With the GP25 working on his preferences more, Bagnaia joined teammates Marc Marquez and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio to provide feedback on the new GP25 fairing.
“We were focusing on new fairings, but I don’t think we’ll take it to Mugero because we need more time to understand,” he said.
“We used it all afternoon and used it a bit in the morning, so it was a competitive one.
“Fortunately, there’s Michele (piro, test rider) in Barcelona these days, and he can put more kilometres into that fairing.”
Bagnaia’s only concern was the tireless efforts to find a comfortable setup. Among them, the larger brake disc appears to be a missing component and may need to be adjusted again for the revised aero.
“I was very pleased with (fairing), but I think we need to change the balance of the bike a little, so now that’s not the case in my case!” he said. “I don’t want to start changing things again.
“The second item I tried was the swingarm, but under conditions like today, the grip could change. Today’s grip was very good, very slippery, and I was able to drive faster on second-hand tires.”
“My feelings aren’t fighting for victory yet.”
Despite progress, Bagnaia warned that he still needs more to take on title leader Marquez, who dominated much of Aragon’s weekend and Monday’s Test.
“We have to be realistic. My feelings are not to fight for victory,” he said of his upcoming MotoGP round at Muguero.
“We have Mark and he’s more confident in his bike, so it’s hard to think, ‘Yeah, now we’re going to Mugero – my track – and we’ll win…”
“Now we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue our work.
“Yesterday we took a step, fought Alex and was close to Mark, but he was still much faster.
“We’ll see. We’re moving on to Mugero. Yesterday’s race was important, and today’s test to keep us confident and try things out was important.
“I improved today, but it’s very important and the next (step) is Muguero. This is a very good track for me.
I have to start with this confidence and continue to gain it, but I don’t want to say I’ll arrive at Muguero and fight for victory. It’s not realistic now.
“But it’s my home Grand Prix. I’ll try everything to get the best possible results. I’m happy, the next two races are very good for me.
“I think it’s important to take another step and continue in a gentle way.”
Gresini’s Alex Marquez, who currently splits Marquez and Bagnaia at the top of the World Championships, was eighth fastest in his GP24.