Francesco Bagnaia explains agony of losing 2024 MotoGP title race to Jorge Martin - 'It will take years to digest'
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Updated 05/04/2025 at 18:22 GMT+1
After a heartbreaking end to the 2024 MotoGP season for Francesco Bagnaia, the Italian got off to a sluggish start in 2025 until he pounced on a Marc Marquez error to win the Grand Prix Americas. Bagnaia won 11 races last term but still finished 10 points behind champion Jorge Martin, which he says will "take years to digest." Martin won just three races but was more consistent overall.
Highlights: Martin secures MotoGP title despite Bagnaia win in Barcelona
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco Bagnaia says it will take him "years to digest" his failure to win the 2024 MotoGP Championship despite finishing the season with the most race wins.
The Ducati star, hunting a third consecutive world title, was pipped to the sport’s greatest prize by Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin on the final weekend of an eventful season.
Bagnaia won 11 of the 20 Grand Prix races in the 2024 season, but his failure to score points in eight other races cost him dearly.
Martin's consistency meant he topped the Riders’ Championship standings by 10 points despite winning just three Grand Prix races to Bagnaia’s 11 across the campaign.
Speaking on ‘Under the Helmet’ on his YouTube channel, the Italian admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow.
"The end of last season, it’s still there. I think it will take me years to digest that," he said.
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Highlights: Bagnaia pounces on Marquez error to triumph in Austin
Video credit: TNT Sports
"What I tried to do over the winter was to analyse why I didn’t manage to win the title even though I won more races than anyone else.
"I couldn’t manage to bring home the title and that was difficult to accept, but surely important for my career because when you lose in this situation, either you sink or you try to learn."
Bagnaia, 28, had a difficult start to the 2025 season as he was outclassed by new team-mate Marc Marquez in the first two race weekends in Thailand and Argentina.
- Race start carnage, costly crashes and Pecco reborn – The story of Grand Prix Americas
- Bagnaia claims victory at chaotic Grand Prix Americas as Marc Marquez crashes out
However, he made a stunning comeback last weekend at the Grand Prix Americas, pouncing on a Marquez error to claim his first victory of the year.
That tightened things up at the top of the standings, with Alex Marquez rising into first place after three runners-up finishes in a row, with his brother Marc one point behind him and Bagnaia 11 points further back.
Victory will have come as a relief to Bagnaia, who had faced some criticism after fourth and third-placed finishes in Argentina and Thailand respectively.
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Bagnaia 'flipped the script' with Grand Prix Americas victory - 'A different man, he's back in it'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"When you get used to achieving great results and winning, a second or third place feels like a defeat," he said.
"It’s never enough. In my opinion, there’s never going to be a moment in your career when you feel truly satisfied and accomplished. Because you’re always striving for more."
"It’s already a privilege to be able to participate. Not everyone has the fortune to feel the pressure of a World Championship," he added.
- Why Marc Marquez ran from grid to cause chaotic delay to start of Grand Prix Americas
- Martin on track for Qatar return after successful check-up
"Pressure is a privilege and once you understand that, everything becomes easier. It’s easier to get through the difficult moments as [you are] fighting for the title.
Bagnaia will be looking for back-to-back wins when the 2025 MotoGP season continues with the Grand Prix Qatar from April 11 to 13, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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'Marquez is down!' - Race leader crashes out to end Grand Prix Americas hopes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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