Marc Marquez arrival at Ducati 'knocked the wind out' of Francesco Bagnaia's sails after fourth at Grand Prix Argentina
Published 16/03/2025 at 22:53 GMT
Francesco Bagnaia claimed a fourth-placed finish at Grand Prix Argentina on Sunday, and it was a result that left the Italian deeply frustrated. TNT Sports experts Michael Laverty, Neil Hodgson and Suzi Perry feel the arrival of Marc Marquez at Ducati has had an impact on Bagnaia. Watch and stream the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
‘Your team-mate keeps kicking lumps out of you’ - Marquez arrival has impacted on Bagnaia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco Bagnaia cut a frustrated figure after coming home in fourth at Grand Prix Argentina, and Neil Hodgson feels Marc Marquez’s arrival at Ducati has taken the wind from his sails.
Bagnaia was the star man at Ducati, but now has to share top billing with Marquez following his transfer from Honda.
Marquez has made a blistering start to the season with wins in Thailand and Argentina.
Bagnaia got onto the podium in Thailand, but came home in fourth in Argentina on Sunday and was frustrated.
"I am not happy," Bagnaia told TNT Sports. "We struggled all the weekend.
"I think more than fourth was difficult for me today.
"I need to improve, to do a step to find my feeling from last year."
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'I am not happy’ - Bagnaia frustrated with fourth place at Grand Prix Argentina
Video credit: TNT Sports
Reacting to the suggestion that Bagnaia is not happy with the front of his bike, Hodgson said: "It is so important, that’s the feel part of it.
"I’ve got to say it was quite an honest interview, he was pretty open."
Hodgson believes Bagnaia’s struggles are down to the impact Marquez has made.
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Grand Prix Argentina Highlights as Marc Marquez fends off brother Alex to take race win
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"He does not look like himself," Hodgson said. "I think a lot of it is the shockwave of having your man [Marquez] next door to you. That is the reality of having the pressure and all that expectation that Marc brings with him, the fanfare.
"We’ve seen Marc back it up on track, there’s all that, and it’s knocked the wind out of his sails.
"Then you question yourself, you can’t quite get the feeling; you try harder. The No. 1 thing motorcycle riders do wrong is try harder. You try harder, you ride more tense and upset the bike. You end up with that little downward spiral.
"He is a bright, intelligent guy, a three-time world champion. He is going to analyse all that and hopefully come back with a different plan."
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Bagnaia lost the world championship narrowly to Jorge Martin in 2024, and Michael Laverty thinks that could have had an impact.
"You are wounded when it happens and have got the winter to rebuild," Laverty said. "But you are wounded again because your team-mate keeps kicking lumps out of you."
Watch and stream the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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