It has been a while since Pecco Bagnaia stood on the top step, and he knows his latest win came at Motegi. That is exactly where MotoGP lands this weekend for Round 16, the start of the season’s final stretch.
Last year the Ducati rider won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix in Japan. The weekend was still overshadowed by Marc Marquez clinching the world title. Bagnaia said he loves racing in Japan and sees that result as a confidence boost.
Pecco Bagnaia banks on happy Japanese memories
Austria offered less to smile about. The double world champion had a quiet weekend at the Red Bull Ring, though it was a steady return to the points after a rough run.
He now sits ninth in the championship and has played down his chances of repeating last year’s double. Still, he holds the track record at Motegi, so nobody should write him off.
The circuit is a stop-and-go layout with heavy braking zones and corners that demand a clean exit. Bagnaia will want to find a solid base from the first practice session and build on it.
Ducati needs answers in the title fight
Ducati arrives with something to prove. Aprilia’s Jorge Martin leads the standings on 306 points, with Ducati’s Marc Marquez second on 294, just 12 behind.
A strong result from Bagnaia would help Ducati keep the pressure on Aprilia as the championship heads into its closing rounds.
Practice starts on Friday 2 October, and the Sprint follows on Saturday at 3pm local time. The Grand Prix is on Sunday. Check the full session times, and stay with 12B SPORTS to see whether Bagnaia can turn Motegi history into another win.
