Bagnaia Signals Title Challenge with motegi Practice Pace
Motegi, Japan – september 26, 2024 – Francesco Bagnaia delivered a commanding performance in Friday’s practice sessions at the Motegi MotoGP, reigniting his championship hopes after a recent dip in form. The Ducati rider topped both FP1 and FP2, demonstrating a pace that suggests he is back to his competitive best as the title fight intensifies.
Bagnaia’s recent struggles, particularly in sprint races - historically a weakness – have allowed Marc Marquez to close the gap in the championship standings. While the Italian expressed optimism following setup improvements tested at the Aragon test and refined during the Hungarian Grand Prix, those gains proved temporary. now, with a strong showing in practice, Bagnaia aims to translate that speed into success during saturday’s sprint race and Sunday’s main event, crucial steps in defending his crown.
The championship battle has become increasingly tight, with Marquez mounting a serious challenge. Bagnaia’s performance in Motegi is therefore pivotal, not onyl for his own title aspirations but also for the dynamic of the entire MotoGP season. A accomplished weekend in Japan could re-establish his dominance, while any further setbacks would hand Marquez a meaningful advantage as the season nears its conclusion.
