Pecco Bagnaia found himself on the back foot after a challenging Friday and Saturday. He finished 13th in the pole and 8th in the Sprint Race, witnessing Jorge Martín close a nearly two-race gap to snatch the championship lead. However, Sunday’s race was pivotal not just for points but also for the psychological battle between the contenders.
Determined from the outset, Bagnaia made assertive and clean overtakes, climbing up the ranks from his 13th starting position. Mid-race, he was well-placed, eyeing a podium finish to salvage some pride from the Grand Prix. But, in a twist typical of MotoGP, the leading Martín crashed, allowing Bagnaia to push harder. After overtaking Viñales, he clinched victory in Indonesia, reclaiming the championship lead by 18 points over Martín.
Post-race, Bagnaia had a clear message for his recent critics. He gestured at the camera, stating, “Often, people talk too much. Sometimes it’s better to wait for the results. That was for them.”
Reflecting on his challenging period after the Catalunya GP, Bagnaia said, “I needed a result like this. After the Barcelona GP, I went through a lot. I struggled, felt off in many situations, and pushing became hard. I’m deeply grateful to my team, especially the electronics guys. We made a significant step forward this morning. We truly deserved this victory, and I’m proud of it.”
Discussing his mental recovery after the previous day’s challenges, Bagnaia mentioned watching an episode about David Beckham, who likely faced more criticism than him. He emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people. “My partner Domizia always backs me when she sees I’m not at my best. Conversations with my team, family, and Valentino helped. Domizia even chatted about her shopping day. Last night, I realized I needed a result like today’s.”
On the significance of this victory, Bagnaia compared it to his win in Malaysia the previous year. He acknowledged Martín’s speed but emphasized the importance of this win after a challenging period. It’s a morale boost, not just for him but also for his team.
Regarding the challenges in recent GPs, Bagnaia said, “I knew the potential was there; we just had to figure out certain things. Everything clicked today – the mindset, the team. After yesterday’s sprint and qualifying, I was quite upset. We worked hard last night, and during the race, I gave my best.”
Bagnaia’s win in Indonesia marks the first time since Melandri in Turkey 2006 that a MotoGP rider has won a race without starting in the top four rows. “Such achievements make me happy. It’s true that overtaking in MotoGP is challenging now, but if you’re faster, you can make your move,” he added.
On Martín’s crash, Bagnaia said, “We’re performing at such a high level that it doesn’t take much to fall. I’ve had many accidents similar to Jorge’s, like in Austin and India. Our bike is fast, but understanding it is crucial. There are moments when you’re so confident that you need to be cautious.”
As the new MotoGP leader, Bagnaia concluded, “In the first half of the championship, I was leading and had extended my lead to 66 points with the same mindset. I started losing points post-Barcelona, and Martín became very strong. I worked to rediscover my feelings on the bike, and today I was ahead of everyone.”