Sepang, a challenging weekend for Pecco Bagnaia: sixth in the Sprint and thirteenth in the main race. Ivan Ortolá finishes eighth in Moto2
A challenging weekend, marked by grip issues and the ongoing search for the right feeling with the bike. That is how the Malaysian Grand Prix comes to an end for our Suomy Rider Francesco Bagnaia, who experienced a weekend in which the feeling was never quite right and technical difficulties heavily affected his performance, particularly in Sunday’s race. At the Sepang circuit, under particularly demanding weather conditions and with extremely high track temperatures, the Ducati rider managed to secure sixth place in Saturday’s Sprint, having started from tenth on the grid. The main race, however, once again highlighted the grip issues that had already emerged throughout the weekend: Bagnaia struggled from the opening laps, eventually managing the situation and bringing his bike home in thirteenth position.
Ivan Ortolá’s Moto2 weekend was different, at least in terms of consistency. Our rider finished the Grand Prix in eighth position, after a race in which he was unable to join the battle for the leading positions. Nevertheless, Ortolá secured valuable points, finishing inside the top ten and confirming his place among the category’s leading contenders. Well done, Ivan!
SPRINT RACE
Francesco Bagnaia’s Saturday ended with a sixth-place finish in the Sprint Race of the Malaysian Grand Prix. Starting from tenth on the grid, the Ducati rider managed to gain four positions, completing a race affected by changing weather conditions and a particularly tricky track surface. As Pecco himself confirmed, the rain that slowed down some of his rivals actually allowed our Suomy Rider to make up for the grip deficit through his riding style and secure a respectable result.
For Pecco, the result represents a small step forward compared to his starting position, although it does not erase the difficulties encountered throughout the weekend. The conditions during the Sprint partly changed the balance on track, while the Italian rider tried to make the most of every opportunity to recover ground.
“Sixth place is definitely a good result, especially considering how the last few races have gone. We made a good start and had a strong first braking point, which allowed me to get ahead of several riders. I tried to stay with the leading group, but unfortunately I didn’t have the pace to do so. In a way, the raindrops helped us, because from as early as the third lap I had already lost rear grip. For tomorrow, the goal is to get the best possible start and try to manage rear tyre wear, which is our main issue.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – Sprint Race 6°
RACE
Francesco Bagnaia‘s Sunday ended with a thirteenth-place finish after a particularly difficult race. The Ducati rider had to deal with grip issues from the very beginning, a problem that prevented him from finding the pace needed to stay with the group fighting for the leading positions.
The difficulties became apparent almost immediately after the start and, after just five laps, Bagnaia’s main objective had become managing the situation and bringing the race to the finish. In a Grand Prix held with particularly high track temperatures, the lack of grip made things even more challenging for our Suomy Rider, who was unable to find the right feeling to push consistently.
After the race, the Italian rider explained that the difficulties were largely in line with what had already emerged during the previous sessions. While Saturday’s Sprint had offered some relief thanks to the weather conditions, the grip issue became particularly evident again in Sunday’s main race, forcing him to adjust his approach and focus on managing the bike.
Thirteenth place is therefore a result below Francesco’s expectations. He leaves Malaysia knowing that he and the team will need to analyse what happened and identify the solutions required to regain competitiveness. With three Grands Prix still to go, continuing to work together will be crucial in turning things around and approaching the final part of the season in the best possible way.
“The race went more or less as expected. Yesterday, in a way, we were a little lucky because of the rain. Today, from the very start, I realised that grip was our limiting factor, and I tried to manage it as best I could. But even so, after just five laps, the objective had already become simply to finish the race. Unfortunately, this is the situation and I have to accept it. There are three Grands Prix left in the season, and we will try to give our best in every session.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – Race 13°
MOTO 2
An eighth-place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix and third place in the overall standings with three races remaining in the season. That is how Ivan Ortolá concludes his Sepang weekend.
Our Suomy Rider faced a race in which he was unable to join the battle for the leading positions, but he remained inside the points and secured a useful result for his championship campaign. After a hard-fought race, Ortolá crossed the finish line in eighth place, just under 18 seconds behind the winner.
The championship now looks ahead to its next round, with Ivan ready to get back on track, regain competitiveness and fight for an even stronger result.
Click the button below to find out all the images of the #SuomyCrew during the weekend in Malaysia.
