Pecco Bagnaia is revving up for a sensational comeback as he gears up for the 2026 MotoGP season, and the early signs are promising. After a tumultuous 2025 campaign that left him grappling with the challenges of the Ducati GP25, the three-time world champion has his sights set on mastering the new GP26. The winter months have been dedicated to ensuring that he can fully adapt to this new machine, and it appears that his efforts are beginning to pay off.
During the second day of testing at Sepang, Bagnaia showcased his impressive pace, clocking a remarkable lap time of 1:57.302. This performance not only marked an improvement from his previous day but also placed him eighth on the leaderboard, just 428 milliseconds behind the day’s fastest rider, Joan Mir. “The time I’ve done in race configuration has been very fast,” Bagnaia declared, exuding confidence as he reflects on his progress.
However, the day was not without its challenges. The unexpected arrival of rain disrupted the testing schedule for all riders, including those from the renowned Ducati team. This unforeseen weather forced Bagnaia and his team to adapt quickly, setting the stage for a more hectic Thursday as they strive to finalize their preparations ahead of the final tests in Thailand scheduled for February 21 and 22.
Despite the setbacks, Bagnaia maintained an upbeat demeanor, stating that the focus for the following day would be to delve deeper into the aerodynamics of the GP26, which he believes shows promise for improvement. “I’m happy. Yesterday was a day of relief; today, a day of bad luck due to the weather. Tomorrow morning will be crucial to finish testing the aerodynamics. It will be a busy day, but we have more tires, and that’s good,” he explained to the media, including representatives from Motorsport.com.
The promising feedback on the GP26 has been encouraging for Bagnaia, especially regarding its braking capabilities—a vital area where he faced difficulties with the earlier model. “From the first outing yesterday, I noticed that the bike was working much better for me in braking; today we confirmed that,” he noted, clearly relieved to see improvements in this critical aspect of performance.
As the testing continues, all eyes will be on Bagnaia and the Ducati team to see if they can translate this encouraging momentum into success as the season approaches. The stage is set for an exhilarating year ahead, with Bagnaia aiming to reclaim his dominance in the world of MotoGP.
