Dani Pedrosa has emphasized that Francesco Bagnaia’s rivals cannot allow him to “do his race” in a MotoGP grand prix, as his key strength lies in controlling the race from the front. Pedrosa, a 31-time grand prix winner, highlighted that Bagnaia’s ability to dictate the pace once he’s in the lead makes him incredibly difficult to beat, especially in the latter stages of a race.

The MotoGP title battle is currently neck and neck with just four rounds remaining, as Jorge Martin leads Bagnaia by a slim 10-point margin. This all-Ducati championship contest has been thrilling, with Bagnaia, the reigning double world champion, closing in on Martin after his dominant performance in Japan. Bagnaia managed to win both the sprint and the grand prix, leading every lap of the main race—a prime example of his ability to control the front.

Pedrosa, who shared his insights on DAZN during the Japanese GP, explained that Bagnaia’s strength lies in his consistency once he establishes an early lead. As a KTM test rider and MotoGP pundit, Pedrosa analyzed the dynamics of the race and what Bagnaia’s competitors must do to disrupt his rhythm.

“Watching these races throughout the year, it’s easy for me to comment from my position,” Pedrosa noted. “But it’s clear: you cannot let Pecco [Bagnaia] do his race. In Japan, Martin did the best he could, finishing second, but starting from 11th made it impossible to challenge Pecco.”

Pedrosa pointed out that Bagnaia’s ability to consistently maintain a one-second gap and manage his tyres comfortably is what sets him apart. Once he finds this rhythm, the race becomes more static, making it difficult for rivals to close the gap or change the dynamics. According to Pedrosa, the small variations in lap times—whether Bagnaia gains or loses a tenth of a second—don’t significantly affect the race once Bagnaia has settled into his pace.

He further emphasized that disrupting Bagnaia’s focus is key to beating him. “You have to find a way to get him out of this zone where he’s so focused,” Pedrosa said. “That’s where someone like Marc Marquez excels—when he’s on your wheel, he can disturb you and stop you from having your race.”

In Pedrosa’s view, if Bagnaia is allowed to settle into his race rhythm, it becomes nearly impossible to defeat him. His ability to maintain control from the front and manage every aspect of the race—particularly tyre management—makes him one of the most formidable opponents in MotoGP. For his rivals to have any hope of challenging him, they must find ways to disrupt his race early on, preventing him from taking control.