Jonathan Rea backs Francesco Bagnaia to rediscover his best form in MotoGP

WSBK legend Rea spoke to GPOne about the early stages of the season. He showed support for Bagnaia, expressing his hope that the rider can regain his form at Ducati.

“The last few races have been interesting,” he said. “Aprilia is making progress, but it’s still too early to draw conclusions. We still need two or three races to understand the strengths of the field.

“Bezzecchi is certainly very competitive, and soon Marquez will be too. I’m a big fan of Bagnaia, and I hope he finds his rhythm and competitiveness again because he’s one of the most talented.”

Rea was asked if Bagnaia’s struggles were down to the GP25. He responded: “I honestly don’t know because I’m not in the garage. For me, Pecco is one of the most talented riders on the bike.

“I remember a test at Jerez when there were several Ducati and VR46 riders. The track conditions were difficult, but what Pecco was doing was incredible compared to the others.

“There were strong riders like Marco and Martin, but he was on another level. So there’s definitely a reason why he’s so strong, and I hope he can find his way again.”

Aprilia move could hold the answer to Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles

Valentino Rossi had previously identified rear tyre wear as a key issue for Bagnaia, and that concern showed up again at COTA. Although it’s still early in the 2026 season, another slow start means the Italian needs to turn things around soon.

His time with Ducati might already be heading towards its conclusion. There are reports suggesting that Bagnaia has signed a four-year deal to join Aprilia in 2027, with crew chief Cristian Gabbarini expected to move with him.

The switch could offer Bagnaia a fresh start, especially considering how Aprilia has climbed to the front of the grid recently. While new regulations in 2027 could change the landscape, Aprilia plans to bring him into their development process early.

A change of environment might be what he needs to regain his best form. While he will continue racing for Ducati this season, his attention may already be shifting towards what lies ahead with his next team.