Bagnaia "raced in defence" as Ducati chatter strikes again in MotoGP
After battling with top competitors like Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, and Jorge Martin in the early stages of the race, Francesco Bagnaia, the factory Ducati rider, finished fifth at the chequered flag, over seven seconds behind race winner Maverick Vinales. Despite a strong start, Bagnaia struggled in the latter half of the race to match the pace of Vinales and Acosta, and from team-mate Enea Bastianini and Pramac rider Martin. Bagnaia opted for a soft rear tyre strategy at Circuit of the Americas, allowing him to secure third position before tire issues made him focus on salvaging points. Bagnaia expressed disappointment in the tyre vibrations that affected his performance, leading him to race defensively and lose touch with the lead pack. Looking ahead, Bagnaia remains optimistic that his team will address the technical challenges and return to competitive form in upcoming races.
