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The Barcelona Grand Prix is not just any race for Pecco Bagnaia, for so many reasons. The first brings to mind his terrible accident last year, when the world champion was run over by Binder's KTM. He miraculously got up unhurt (or almost), but that accident marked a turning point in his season. From that moment on, Bagnaia struggled to regain his usual explosiveness, while Martin grew stronger. We all know how it turned out , but this weekend Pecco will have to face that track that brings back memories that are anything but pleasant.
After all, Montmeló has never been too friendly for the Italian rider, not even in the minor classes. Not only has he never won at Barcelona, but his only podium finish was last year in the Sprint (a 2nd place). Moreover, in the last two editions of the GP he has never seen the chequered flag: in 2023 because of the accident we mentioned, in 2022 because of another one triggered by Nakagami.
If there is a good time to dispel the Catalan taboo, this is it. Because Martin is running away in the standings (he has a 38-point lead) and at the same time Bagnaia is breathing down the necks of Marquez and Bastianini (2 points ahead). A good haul of points is needed and not only those given out on Sunday. Counting only the long races so far held, Pecco would be only 2 points behind Jorge, but the Pramac rider has made a big difference on Saturday: picking up so far 50 points in the Sprints against the 14 of the world champion.
If - as Bagnaia has said - the championship will be a battle between three riders, he needs to show his muscles fast. Not least because Barcelona is not his opponents' favorite playing field either. Not even Martin has ever won there (he has been on the podium in the last two editions) and even Marquez has just 2 MotoGP wins in his home race. The same number as Ducati, which won in 2017 with Dovizioso and in 2018 with Lorenzo.
Everything is very wide-open, especially since in Barcelona the opponents could be more dangerous than usual. Especially Aprilia, which dominated the weekend last year: Aleix Espargarò won the Sprint and race and Vinales was always on the podium. Thinking about the progress of the RS-GP and Maverick, it is clear that the two Spaniards from Noale will be tough to beat. KTM, which came out on top in 2021 thanks to Miguel Oliveira, is not to be underestimated either. With Acosta ever-aggressive, Binder looking for redemption and Miller who must earn a seat for 2025, all the ingredients to shuffle the cards are there.
There are many headaches for Bagnaia, but then again, that's what happens when you have the number 1 on your fairing and he's used to it by now.
