Andrea Dovizioso believes Francesco Bagnaia's individual riding style and mindset make it difficult for the Italian to follow Marc Marquez's approach, suggesting the Ducati rider shares some similarities with former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner.
Bagnaia has faced a challenging period alongside Marquez at Ducati, with the Spaniard's performances highlighting the gap between the two teammates. Dovizioso, who battled Marquez for several seasons, understands how difficult it can be to compete against a rider capable of consistently delivering exceptional results.
According to Dovizioso, Marquez's influence extends beyond the technical side of racing. His performances can also affect the confidence of those sharing the garage with him, making it harder for a teammate to maintain belief in their own abilities.
Dovizioso previously experienced the challenge of competing against Marquez during his time at Ducati, when the pair fought for the MotoGP title on multiple occasions. He believes that when one rider repeatedly outperforms another on similar machinery, the psychological pressure can become a significant obstacle.
"When you find yourself with a Marc in the same garage, he dismantles your convictions," Dovizioso explained in an earlier discussion about the challenges Bagnaia has faced.
The former Ducati rider also pointed out that a rider's personality can influence how they respond to such pressure. Bagnaia, in his view, has similarities to Stoner, a rider known for his distinctive approach and ability to extract performance from a motorcycle in his own way.
Source: Grande Premio
Rather than simply copying Marquez, Bagnaia needs to understand what works for him and find a way to maximise his own strengths. Trying to reproduce another rider's technique or mindset may not provide the solution, particularly when their natural riding styles differ.
Marquez's arrival at Ducati has made the challenge even more apparent. While Bagnaia previously established himself as one of the manufacturer's leading riders, his struggles alongside the Spaniard have raised questions about his confidence and ability to adapt to the changing demands of the Desmosedici.
The situation also highlights the difficulty of comparing teammates solely by their results. Even when riders share the same machinery, differences in riding style, confidence and the way they interpret a motorcycle can produce very different outcomes.
For Bagnaia, the priority is to rediscover the form that brought him consecutive MotoGP world championships in 2022 and 2023. Dovizioso's observations suggest that the answer may not lie in trying to become more like Marquez, but in finding a way to compete effectively while remaining true to his own approach.
With Marquez setting the benchmark at Ducati, Bagnaia's challenge is to rebuild his confidence and find a riding style that allows him to consistently challenge at the front.
