Francesco Bagnaia started the Catalan Grand Prix weekend in 17th place in FP1, with the factory Ducati man carrying the entire team’s hopes alone in the absence of Marc Marquez. Ducati will not replace Marquez this weekend, leaving Bagnaia as the sole factory representative at a circuit that has not been kind to the Bologna manufacturer in 2026. After two DNFs in his last two starts, Bagnaia needs a response. A 17th place on Friday is not the start he needed.
