Nothing new under the sun and rain, yet the scene sparkled with a dangerous edge in the Tuscan sun. On the MotoGP weekend in Mugello, from the main race to the sprint, the performance landscape remained predictably thrilling as the Ducati Desmosedici pressed its edge. The track in Tuscany set the stage for a full Ducati showcase, with the Borgo Panigale factory testing its bikes across racing and street configurations. Fans from around the world cheered as Bagnaia stepped into the limelight with a fresh helmet that bore the message: How beautiful is Mugello.
Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion, faced a tense morning as Marc Márquez closed in, chasing pole position and testing Bagnaia’s pace. Márquez launched well, and Jorge Martín appeared poised to threaten the podium, while Bezzecchi stayed close to Bagnaia, keeping the title fight intensely alive across the opening laps. The rider lineup kept the tension high as the field carved through the early minutes, with Bezzecchi and Márquez pushing hard to close the gap before the finish.
Bastianini’s new name Bezzecchi
After the early resistance, Bagnaia kept Bezzecchi at bay, sealing the door on any late surge in the race’s final laps. Bagnaia crossed the line with a confident victory in the 11-lap sprint, gathering crucial points to extend his lead, though Bezzecchi stayed within range. In 2023, Enea Bastianini emerged as the rising figure, drawing attention with his rapid ascent.
To illustrate Ducati’s dominance, it is clear the Desmosedici remains a force at home and abroad. The field featured Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Martín, Johann Zarco, and Luca Marini, each striving to challenge the Madrid-based contender and push for a podium on the final lap. Marini, often seen as Rossi’s step-sibling on the circuit, offered encouragement and support for Bezzecchi, underscoring the close-knit nature of Ducati’s rider family.
everything is controlled
“Everything went as planned,” Bagnaia remarked, maintaining his calm even after a race that tested the riders’ limits. He explained that the plan was to start strong, set a solid rhythm, and avoid unnecessary risk. The moment of rain brought some water on the track, yet the overall strategy held firm and control stayed intact.
World Championship standings reflect the momentum: Bagnaia leads with 106 points, Bezzecchi sits second with 102, Jaime Martin is third with 87, Brad Binder is fourth with 81, and Zarco is fifth with 72. The points tally highlights Ducati’s continued strength in the season, with both Bagnaia and Bezzecchi among the top contenders and a strong team effort supporting the effort on race weekends across North America and Europe.