Pecco Bagnaia, victim of the cannibal's smile

A measured, serene, polite, and low-heart-rate rider, Pecco Bagnaia (Turin, 28) will never be seen overdoing it, not on the bike, not in front of a microphone, not even celebrating. Nor will he be seen now, at his lowest point, in the midst of a slump in spirit and results unlike anything he's seen in the last four years, during which he won two titles and two runner-up positions.

But the current Pecco seems to be melting for Motorland, more than for the oppressive heat in this corner of Aragón (30ºC), for the inevitable odious comparison with his garage neighbor. In less than a third of the championship, Marc Márquez has devoured him. Just as he did with his four previous teammates.

Márquez wins the game The current Pecco's soul melts for Motorland, more than for the oppressive heat in this corner of Aragon (30ºC), for the inevitable odious comparison with his garage neighbor.

Paddock rumors say Bagnaia hasn't adapted well to the GP25, the new Desmosedici that Márquez has mastered from day one. The Italian either can't or doesn't know how to get the most out of the best machine on the grid, as he did with the previous GP24 or the GP23. The problem is that he lacks the feeling with the front end on corner entry, a cornerstone of his riding style.

"This year's bike is a little more difficult for me in some areas, and we need to improve them. It's not that it's a weak bike; it has a lot of potential, as Marc has shown, and it will be important for me to be able to squeeze that out of it too," admits Bagnaia, who is honored to not make excuses like others.

But beyond his mechanical shortcomings or feelings that prevent him from being fast, there's another reason that's making it difficult for Bagnaia to perform as he did before: the Márquez factor. And doubly so: Marc and Àlex.

In just seven Grand Prix races (out of 22 on the calendar), the Cervera brothers, riding the same bike, have outdone Bagnaia, the current runner-up and the rider who won the most last year (11 wins, 16 podiums).

First rehearsals Marc Márquez intimidated Bagnaia on the first day in Alcañiz: he left him 1.5 seconds behind and made him move aside on the track.

Marc Márquez is giving him a run for his money in his first season with the factory team. In seven GPs, he's outscored him by 72 points (the equivalent of almost two weekends), and has demonstrated his strength in every scenario. The 93 's superiority is insulting, especially at his home in Alcañiz, one of the circuits where he has won the most times (six in MotoGP).

In yesterday's morning practice , the multi-champion trailed Pecco (10th) by 1.5 seconds. And in the afternoon qualifying session, which was used to select the top 10 for Q2, he gained 1.2 seconds... until Pecco fixed it in the final two laps and closed to within 0.7 seconds, although, in 9th place, he was surpassed by three KTMs, two Hondas, and the satellite Ducatis of Àlex and Aldeguer...

An image illustrated the situation: on one of the laps, the two red bikes collided; Marc, coming up from behind at a very strong pace, passed as if he were driving a snowplow. All he needed was to signal. Pecco had to move aside. It was humiliating.

Read also Marc Márquez issues a warning: a red roller is coming to Motorland. Toni López Jordà

Because of gestures like this, many are suggesting that Pecco's inferiority is largely due to psychological factors: Marc has sapped his morale, thrown him off balance, and burned him out. Just as he did before with all his MotoGP teammates: his brother Àlex (2024), Joan Mir (2023), Pol Espargaró (2021-22), Jorge Lorenzo (2019), and Dani Pedrosa (2013-18).

"The truth is that Marc is doing very well. When I feel better, I'll be back at the front. I think the same thing would have happened with any other teammate, because the problem is that my feeling isn't there," Bagnaia tries to downplay his poor form.

But Pecco's problem isn't just Marc, it's Márquez. Àlex, riding a satellite Ducati, has compounded the problem by being faster, more consistent, and more constant: the younger brother, second in the World Championship, has beaten Bagnaia in 11 of the 14 races (Sprint and Sunday) so far this year.

"Now is not the time to look at the World Championship, there are 15 GPs left and we will try to grow," says Pecco Bagnaia, downplaying his poor form.

And now, at Motorland, 72 points behind Marc and 48 behind Àlex, the pressure could be suffocating for the Turin native.

"I know I've missed a great opportunity in the last few races. But now I'm here to try to lose as little as possible or to win. Now's not the time to focus on the championship; there are 15 GPs left, and we'll try to grow. There's potential. I just need to figure out how to make the bike work," Pecco downplayed his crisis when asked by La Vanguardia .