Bagnaia “uninterested in shedding factors” to title rivals in MotoGP dash races

Though two-time champion Bagnaia has been one of many star performers this yr on the brand new GP24, the Italian hasn’t been in a position to convert his velocity into top-line leads to half-distance races that at the moment are an vital a part of grand prix weekends.

Whereas championship chief Jorge Martin has as soon as once more emerged because the king of dash races in 2024, Bagnaia has but to complete on the rostrum in any of the six Saturday contests this yr.

Extra worryingly, he has retired from the final three sprints in 2024, with the resultant factors loss denting his title problem towards Pramac rival Martin, who has capitalised on the state of affairs to construct a considerable 39-point benefit within the standings.

At Jerez, Bagnaia was a sufferer of poor observe situations that caught out practically half the sector, whereas his Le Mans dash outing was wrecked by a “harmful” challenge along with his second bike that he was pressured to race on after crashing his major bike in qualifying.

He lastly appeared to have made a breakthrough final Saturday in Barcelona, solely to undergo a heartbreaking crash at Flip 5 on the ultimate lap whereas main the sector from Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro.

Following his newest DNF within the Catalan Grand Prix, Bagnaia continues to be in favour of maintaining dash races on the MotoGP schedule however feels he must put all the things collectively with a view to accumulate the mandatory factors for his title bid.

“No, the sprints are there and I simply have to enhance myself,” he mentioned.

“We’re at all times aggressive. Within the final three dash races, we had been aggressive however we had two crashes and one downside with the bike. So, I’m shedding numerous factors.

“On Saturday I used to be profitable the race earlier than the crash on the final lap. So, for positive it’s one thing I’ve to enhance.

“Usually I battle extra however this yr I’m feeling properly in each dash race. So, it’s a matter of ending them and taking factors as a result of final yr it’s true I used to be struggling a bit, however I used to be ending each dash race I did.

“It’s much less factors however for the championship it helps lots, as a result of to place six, eight, 9, 12 factors each weekend is lots.

“So, it’s good on each Sunday we’re aggressive, however I’m uninterested in shedding factors in a free method on Saturdays.”

Bagnaia recovered from his dash crash to take a surprising victory within the grand prix on Sunday, passing Martin for the lead on the similar nook the place he had crashed the day earlier than – one thing he described as “busting a fantasy” in a post-race interview.

The 27-year-old says he doesn’t cease believing in himself at any time when he has a poor Saturday, and it’s this confidence in his skills that permits him to make robust comebacks in MotoGP.

“I may be very targeted on the target. I do know after I do errors, after I crash, when I’ve an issue, I may be upset, nervous, offended. However I do know completely my potential,” he mentioned.

“I do know that if all the things is okay, I can battle for the win, I can battle for the highest positions. And that is one thing that helps me to be at all times ready to battle.

“I do know completely that even when I’ve a troublesome Saturday I can have a great Sunday, as a result of the potential is there, my staff is there, my bike is there and all the things is about as much as let me be aggressive and quick. So, I’m very assured on my package deal.”

A more in-depth evaluation of the opening six rounds reveals Bagnaia has outscored Martin by three factors in Sunday races this yr. Nevertheless, the Italian has solely mustered 14 factors in sprints in 2024, whereas Martin has gathered a whopping 56 factors from half-distance races because of his three victories.

Factors scored by Martin and Bagnaia in grands prix

Factors scored by Martin and Bagnaia in sprints