Valentino Rossi has shed light on the emotional turmoil Francesco Bagnaia experienced before his triumphant Spanish MotoGP victory. According to Rossi, who mentors Bagnaia through his VR46 Academy, the young Italian rider was battling intense frustration leading up to the race, which fueled his determination and ultimately propelled him to victory.

“Pecco [Bagnaia] was really angry before the race,” Rossi revealed in an interview. “He had a lot of things on his mind and wasn’t happy with how things were going in practice and qualifying. But sometimes, that anger can push you to give everything on the track.”

Bagnaia’s frustrations were apparent throughout the weekend, as he struggled to find the right setup and faced stiff competition from other riders. However, Rossi explained that Bagnaia’s ability to channel those emotions and use them as motivation was key to his performance in the race. 

“When Pecco is angry, he’s even more focused,” Rossi added. “He knows how to turn that frustration into speed, and we saw that in Spain. It’s a quality that not every rider has. To go from feeling that pressure to controlling the race the way he did was impressive.”

Bagnaia’s victory in Spain was a pivotal moment in his season, reaffirming his status as one of MotoGP’s top contenders. For Rossi, it was a proud moment as a mentor, watching one of his protégés overcome mental hurdles to succeed on the biggest stage.

Rossi’s insight into Bagnaia’s mindset offers a glimpse into the emotional highs and lows that riders face, even when they’re at the top of their game. Bagnaia’s ability to manage his emotions and rise above the pressure reflects his growing maturity as a rider, and his win in Spain stands as a testament to his resilience.

With Rossi’s guidance and Bagnaia’s unrelenting drive, the future looks bright for the young Italian as he continues to chase MotoGP glory.