MotoGP Portimao: ‘Stupid crash’ for Bagnaia, ‘our potential is higher’

04/22/2022 |
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MotoGP

Picture: GeeBee Images

Pecco Bagnaia’s Portimao progress took a tumble in MotoGP free practice as he crashed his Ducati Lenovo GP22 at turn three.

The Italian had just set the afternoon session’s initial 1’51.789 pace in the opening minutes before he found himself skittling through the gravel. Bagnaia admitting his mistake was to push too hard in the tricky wet conditions but remained upbeat about his prospects as the weekend develops having completed FP2 fourth and finished Friday ninth in the combined standings.

“Was a stupid crash,” Bagnaia confirmed. “I was forcing a bit when the tire was maybe not ready. It was my mistake, but in any case was a good day. I’m happy with the feeling with the bike and finally, I started already in front so I’m happy.”

With the forecast threatening more of the same for Saturday but a dry race day, the 25-year-old is cautious of his qualifying potential.

“Could be good to start tomorrow with dry to have already a feeling with it because starting just in the qualifying direct with the slick is never easy, but in any case, I think that our potential in this track is higher.

“We work a lot last year and the feeling was already good so let’s see tomorrow if we have a better condition. The wind looks that will be very high but if will be dry will help us a lot for sure.”