Bagnaia on the Sachsenring: “It’s not one of my favourite circuits”

The TT Circuit Assen is one of Ducati star Pecco Bagnaia’s favourite tracks. Across all classes, the Italian has secured five GP victories there to date – three of them in MotoGP. But this year, he was unable to achieve a top result in the Netherlands. In the sprint race, Bagnaia finished 7th; in the Grand Prix, he retired after 15 laps due to a mechanical failure. “The weekend at Assen was tricky, and having to end Sunday with a retirement really disappointed me, especially given all the work we’d put in with the team,” lamented the 29-year-old.

Immediately after the Assen GP, Bagnaia rushed to the airport to travel to his family – Pecco became a father on 27 June. His son Oliviero Bagnaia and wife Domizia were already waiting for him at home in Italy.

The Ducati factory rider didn’t have much time to spend with his young family afterwards. Last weekend, he celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary at World Ducati Week (WDW) in Misano alongside over 100,000 Ducatisti. Bagnaia also took part in the ‘Race of Champions’ – he finished the race on the Panigale V4 S in 5th place, the highest-placed MotoGP rider.

Bagnaia’s aim: to reduce the gap in the overall standings

This weekend, the action continues with the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. The tight circuit in Hohenstein-Ernstthal is not one of Bagnaia’s favourite tracks. Last year, he finished the Grand Prix in third place. His main aim this year is to further reduce the gap in the World Championship standings before the summer break – he is currently in eighth place, 63 points behind leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia).

“Historically speaking, the Sachsenring isn’t one of my favourite circuits, but we’re approaching this weekend with the utmost determination,” said Bagnaia, looking ahead. “It will be crucial to achieve a good result to round off this first part of the season in the best possible way before the summer break.”

His Ducati-Lenovo team-mate Marc Márquez is the king of the Sachsenring. The Spaniard has secured 12 Grand Prix victories there across all classes to date – nine of them in MotoGP.