Bagnaia Tests New Ducati MotoGP Bike: Early Impressions and 2026 Outlook

Francesco Bagnaia wrapped up the Valencia MotoGP test with a generally positive outlook after piloting the new Ducati GP26. Considering this was his initial outing, and after what he called a challenging season, the rider’s upbeat assessment offers a glimpse into Ducati’s direction.

Bagnaia completed 50 laps and landed tenth, a mere 0.358s behind Raul Fernandez. While the Valencia circuit might not showcase a bike’s full potential, the early feedback seems valuable. Bagnaia specifically singled out the updated aerodynamics, indicating improved feel during braking and corner entry. A step forward, perhaps. Still, he wants more extensive testing, ideally at a venue like Malaysia, to get a complete picture of the package.
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The Ducati rider crashed late in the session, although, he downplayed it as simply pushing too hard. More crucially, Nicolo Bulega, substituting for Marc Marquez, outpaced Bagnaia in the test. Bagnaia, rather than being fazed, emphasized Bulega’s strong performance, deflecting any implication about his own pace.

It’s wise to avoid overhyping any single test, especially at Valencia. Track conditions and individual rider focus can skew the results. Yet, the Valencia test highlights a few things. First, Ducati continues to evolve its aero package aggressively. Second, Bagnaia seems motivated to regain his championship form. What remains to be seen is if these early gains translate into a competitive advantage once the 2026 MotoGP season begins. The Malaysia test will be one to watch.

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Keywords: Bagnaia, Ducati MotoGP, Valencia test, GP26, aerodynamics, 2026 MotoGP, Malaysia test, Bulega