Two-time MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia has admitted that his unsuccessful 2024 title bid was on his mind even during his honeymoon in the off-season. The Ducati rider, who lost out to Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin in the championship battle, revealed that he spent time analyzing his mistakes while also enjoying a well-earned break.
A Honeymoon with a Side of Reflection
After marrying his longtime girlfriend, Domizia Castagnini, in July, Bagnaia finally took his honeymoon following the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP season. Despite being away from the track, he couldn’t help but reflect on the key moments that cost him a third consecutive title.
“I know it myself [that I need to eliminate my mistakes],” he told Sky Sport. “The good thing is that I self-analyse a lot. Even though I was on my honeymoon, I thought a lot about certain moments of the season [laughs].”
While his self-critique continued in the off-season, Bagnaia also made time to enjoy life outside of MotoGP. He visited Los Angeles and was spotted courtside supporting the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.
Recharging for a Fresh Start
Despite his introspective moments, Bagnaia described his off-season as a success.
“My winter was a fairytale,” he said. “The honeymoon was much more beautiful than I could have ever expected. It was definitely a winter in which we relaxed to get back ready.”
With the new season fast approaching, Bagnaia is now turning his attention to 2025. He will unveil the new Ducati GP25 alongside his new team-mate, six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, on January 20 in Italy. The first test of the year will take place in Sepang from February 5-7.
A Tougher Battle Ahead in 2025
Ducati remains the dominant force in MotoGP, but Bagnaia is well aware of the growing threat from rival manufacturers. While Aprilia has strengthened its lineup with Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, KTM faces some challenges but still has a strong rider roster. Bagnaia also expects improvements from Yamaha and Honda, making the 2025 season even more competitive.
“In the meantime, we’re starting to ride our motorbikes again, which is what we like the most,” he said. “But it will certainly be a fun season for everyone, very tough for everyone, because there are always more races.”
He emphasized the need to learn from the mistakes of 2024 and improve:
“We have to think about what we did wrong last year and try to do better.”
Pushing for More in 2025
While matching his past achievements will be challenging—especially with Marquez as his teammate—Bagnaia is not ruling out an even better performance in 2025.
“Are they not replicable? You always have to try to do better. If there are 20 races, it means you can win just as many, so you have to try to always do a little better,” he stated.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Bagnaia to see if he can reclaim his title and overcome the fierce competition ahead.
