Francesco Bagnaia finished fourth at the Ducati Race of Champions on July 6, 2026. He was over 7 seconds behind the winner, Nicolò Bulega.
What happened?
The Ducati Race of Champions was an exhibition race that took place on July 6, 2026. Francesco Bagnaia put in a solid performance, finishing fourth.
The bigger picture
The race was not a full-commitment event for Francesco Bagnaia or his rival, Marc Marquez. They will be racing at the Sachsenring this coming weekend for the final GP before the summer break.
Why it matters for Francesco Bagnaia
The MotoGP World Championship is pushing the limits of what's physically sustainable for riders like Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. With 22 Grand Prix races and 22 sprint races, the schedule is grueling.
The organizers, Liberty Media, should take note of the toll this schedule is taking on the riders. Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez will be racing at the Sachsenring soon, and the summer break will be a welcome respite.
What comes next?
The Sachsenring GP will take place this coming weekend, and Francesco Bagnaia will be looking to perform well before the summer break. He will be racing for his current team for the last time before moving to Aprilia.
The Ducati Race of Champions was a showcase for the riders, but it was also a reminder of the risks involved in motorcycle racing. Francesco Bagnaia finished fourth, but the real story was the toll the MotoGP schedule is taking on the riders.
The event also featured other notable riders, including Tarran Mackenzie, who finished ahead of Marc Marquez. Magalotti, a 47-year-old amateur rider, won the V4Cup earlier in the day, clocking lap times in the 1.40 range.
Giancarlo Tiriticco, a 72-year-old rider, also participated in the event, despite suffering a fractured left ankle in a crash at Imola. He showed up at Misano to honor his commitment and take on the challenge with his friend-rival Graziano Milone.
The Ducati spirit was on full display at the event, with riders competing fiercely on the track and showing respect and camaraderie off it. Francesco Bagnaia will be looking to take this spirit into his next race at the Sachsenring.