The 2026 MotoGP season is underway, but for two-time champion Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia, the start has been anything but smooth. After a promising pre-season that had rivals like Aprilia's Massimo Rivola telling competitors to "go home," Bagnaia finds himself languishing in ninth place after three rounds, sparking serious debate about his form and future.

This slow start is particularly jarring given the flashes of brilliance he's shown, like his fierce battle with Jorge Martin in the COTA Sprint. However, those moments have been overshadowed by a string of mediocre finishes and a costly crash in Brazil. With just 25 points to his name, he's been outscored by Ducati stablemates Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marc Marquez, and even Gresini's Alex Marquez.

Former team manager Livio Suppo has voiced concern, calling Bagnaia's sporadic speed "strange" and a potential cause for alarm. "One bad year happens," Suppo told GPOne, "but if he were to have two in a row, it would become more difficult. For the fans, it’s a bit of a shame." This sentiment echoes the unease from Bagnaia's difficult 2025 campaign, where he retired from six of the final seven races.

While Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin battle at the front, and KTM's Pedro Acosta shines in third, Bagnaia is left searching for answers. The Italian has pointed to severe tyre wear as a critical issue, a problem that must be solved quickly. In the relentless world of MotoGP, past glory offers little protection, and the pressure is mounting for the champion to rediscover the consistent, winning pace that defined his title years.