Bagnaia, a fan of Japan: “I love the track, the people and the culture”

Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) had a better race weekend recently at Spielberg, finishing 6th and 7th. The Red Bull Ring, where the two-time MotoGP World Champion has already won three Sunday races in the premier class, suits the Italian well. “It’s a good track for me – luckily I’m very good at braking, and in Austria you simply have to brake hard,” he explained.

The Twin Ring Motegi also suits Bagnaia well. Last year, he won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix there. “I felt fantastic – I was at 100 per cent and was able to put my riding style to full use.”

Japan: Good vibes for Bagnaia

The Japanese circuit has been resurfaced. That could also help Bagnaia, as he has been struggling with his Desmosedici this year, particularly with a lack of rear-wheel grip. “Every season is different, so I don’t have any expectations for this year,” the 29-year-old said, waving the question aside. “I love the track, I love the people, I love the culture – that’s something that always gives me good vibes.”

“The fact is, we need to stay focused, and realistically, the aim is to be in the mix for the top seven,” Bagnaia explained in more detail. “We need to understand the new tarmac and the differences in the tyres, and see if we can get to grips with the grip issue caused by the new tarmac. But in any case, it’s another track where you can brake hard, so I think the gap compared to other circuits might be smaller. I hope to get off to a good start tomorrow and feel confident.”

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02.10.2026 - 01:55