Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, has established himself as one of the most skilled and fearless riders on the circuit. However, in a recent candid interview, the Ducati star opened up about an aspect of his racing career that even he finds intimidating: turning. Known for his aggressive riding style and remarkable speed, Bagnaia admitted that, despite his confidence on the track, he sometimes feels scared when approaching a turn—something that might come as a surprise to many of his fans.
The Fear of Turning: A Surprising Admission
For many casual observers, turning might seem like just another routine part of a motorcycle race, but for professional riders like Bagnaia, it is one of the most challenging and dangerous elements of MotoGP. “Turning is one of the most difficult parts for me,” Bagnaia confessed. “There are moments when I approach a corner, and I feel a sudden fear. It’s something that can be hard to explain to people who aren’t riders, but there’s always that split second where you wonder if everything is going to hold up—your bike, your tires, your balance.”
These moments of fear, Bagnaia explained, are not constant but can appear unexpectedly during a race. The split-second decision-making required to take a corner at high speeds, often at a lean angle of over 60 degrees, can be unnerving even for the best. “You have to be perfect every time. You don’t get many chances to correct a mistake when you’re going 200 km/h and then braking hard into a corner. Sometimes, the bike feels unstable, or maybe the track conditions aren’t ideal. That’s when the fear creeps in.”
The Technical Challenge of Turning
Bagnaia’s admission highlights just how complex the act of turning in MotoGP really is. Unlike cars, which have four wheels providing a stable base, MotoGP bikes rely on two wheels, requiring riders to physically lean the bike into corners. Riders like Bagnaia use their entire body to counterbalance the motorcycle, often leaning so far over that their knee or elbow grazes the asphalt. This level of control demands not only physical strength but also precision, as the smallest miscalculation can result in a crash.
“Every track has its own unique set of corners, and every corner has its own challenges,” Bagnaia explained. “Some require you to brake harder, while others require you to accelerate out faster. You need to feel the bike, understand its limits, and know exactly how much you can push it. There are days when everything clicks, and it feels amazing. But there are also days when I struggle with it.”
The complexity of turning also changes with race conditions. Rain, temperature, and tire wear all affect how a bike behaves in corners. “Wet tracks are especially tricky,” Bagnaia said. “When the tires don’t grip as well, you can’t lean into the turn as aggressively as you’d like. You have to be more cautious, but that also means you lose time to the other riders who might take more risks. It’s a constant balancing act.”
Mental and Physical Preparation
To overcome the fear and challenges of turning, Bagnaia relies on intense mental and physical preparation. He explained that MotoGP is as much a mental sport as it is physical. Riders need to train their minds to focus under extreme pressure. “I’ve worked a lot on the mental side of things,” Bagnaia shared. “When I feel scared before a turn, I remind myself of the training I’ve done, the hours spent perfecting my technique, and the team around me that has set up the bike perfectly. It helps calm the nerves.”
Physically, Bagnaia spends hours each week working on strength and flexibility. His core muscles, in particular, are crucial for maintaining balance and control through turns. “People don’t realize how much strength it takes to handle these bikes. You need to be strong, but also flexible, to lean the bike properly and make those quick adjustments.”
Learning from Experience
Despite his occasional fears, Bagnaia has learned to trust his instincts and his machine. Over the years, he has developed a deep connection with his Ducati, understanding its intricacies and how to handle it in various conditions. This experience has allowed him to push through moments of doubt and fear, often resulting in spectacular performances.
“The more you ride, the more you understand what the bike is telling you,” Bagnaia said. “There are times when I know I can push harder through a turn, and other times when I need to hold back. It’s all about feeling the bike underneath you and trusting that you and the team have done everything right.”
Facing Fear on the Path to Greatness
Francesco Bagnaia’s candid admission about the fear of turning offers a glimpse into the psychological challenges faced by even the most elite riders. For fans, his honesty is a reminder that MotoGP is a sport where human limitations are constantly tested. While Bagnaia may get scared before a turn, it’s his ability to face that fear and push through it that sets him apart as a true champion.
“At the end of the day, I know that fear is just part of the process,” Bagnaia concluded. “It’s something every rider has to deal with, but it’s also what makes the sport so thrilling. When you conquer that fear and come out of a perfect turn, there’s no better feeling in the world.”
Bagnaia’s journey through the twists and turns of MotoGP continues to captivate fans worldwide. As he battles his fears on the track, he remains one of the most exciting riders to watch—both for his incredible skill and his human vulnerability.
