Grand Prix Italy: Neil Hodgson breaks down why Francesco Bagnaia needs to continue ‘untouchable’ record in home race – ‘Not us trying to create drama'
Updated 20/06/2025 at 16:59 GMT+1
TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson feels that Grand Prix Italy is a chance that Francesco Bagnaia has to take, as he looks to hunt down Spanish brothers Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez at the top of the MotoGP standings. 'Pecco' is 93 points adrift of the championship lead, but comes into his home Grand Prix having won the last three at the Mugello track, including both Sprint races.
'He has to win, that's not us trying to create drama' - Hodgson on 'untouchable' Bagnaia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco Bagnaia has been warned that the MotoGP championship title could be beyond him if he fails to claim victory at Grand Prix Italy this weekend.
'Pecco' is third in the rankings, but already a whopping 93 points behind leader and Ducati team-mate Marc Marquez, with the Spaniard's brother Alex Marquez just 32 points off the top.
Despite recording a win and five podium finishes so far this season - the same return as Alex - Bagnaia finds himself with work to do in the coming weeks if he is to close the gap on the Spanish siblings.
But history is on his side this weekend, having triumphed across the last three seasons at Mugello, while also tasting success in the last two Sprint races at the Italian track.
Bagnaia even admitted in the build-up to race weekend that, "if I don’t win here, there’s something very, very wrong".
TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson backed up the rider's claims, insisting that it was P1 or bust for the Italian in Tuscany.
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"He has to win here, and that’s not us trying to create drama, he’s 93 points behind his team-mate," Hodgson said.
"We thought that as the season started, when we get to Qatar, that’s going to really suit Pecco and it didn’t work out.
"He’s won here the last three times, he’s won both the Sprints here, he’s untouchable.
"He’s good across all classes, it was like his riding style was designed for Mugello."
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It was a solid start to the weekend for Bagnania, who finished second in the timesheets following Friday's practice session.
After clocking a time of 1:44.744, the Ducati rider was only outdone by Maverick Vinales, with the Marquez duo closely following Bagnaia with their efforts.
Bagnaia's last race win came at the Circuit of the Americas in March. After damaging results in France (16th) and at Silverstone (21st) in recent races, a third-placed finish in Aragon earlier this month got him back on track.
'Bagnaia was faster than Marquez'
Bagnania began his quest to close down Marquez by posting a faster lap in practice, ahead of Saturday's Sprint race and Sunday's GP.
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Vinales ends Friday fastest to pip home favourite Bagnaia in practice
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Speaking to TNT Sports, Hogdson said he could not recall the last time he saw 'Pecco' oust his 32-year-old team-mate in a practice session, which can only be good news.
"We're in round nine and I can't remember Bagnaia being ahead of Marc Marquez in any practice session [this season]," he said.
"We know he beat him in a race when Marc made mistakes, but Bagnaia, in the end, was faster than Marc.
"That bodes well for him and bodes well for the race."
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