Rossi: Bagnaia riding Ducati MotoGP bike "in perfect way"
Valentino Rossi says his protege Francesco Bagnaia is riding the Ducati in "the perfect way" at the MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Misano


Bagnaia scored his debut podium on his return from injury in last weekend's San Marino GP at Misano, beating Yamaha rider Rossi in the process on his way to second.
The Pramac rider has continued his strong form in the second Misano weekend, setting a lap record to top FP3 and was on course for pole in qualifying with a record 1m30.973s before he had the lap cancelled for exceeding track limits.
Bagnaia was dropped to the middle of the second row in fifth as a result.
Rossi - who was seventh in qualifying - followed Bagnaia briefly during the Q2 session and noted that the 2018 Moto2 champion's style is able to "fix" some of the 2020 Ducati's issues.
"Pecco is riding very good, because he's able with his style to use the Ducati in the perfect way," Rossi said when asked by Autosport to comment on Bagnaia's riding.
"He is able to fix some problems the Ducati has. But [he is also] using the maximum of some advantages Ducati has, like the engine and acceleration. Ducati is the high performance bike, but is not easy to ride.
"So, following Pecco, he ride very, very well, but unfortunately he touched the green [run-off area].
"If not, he makes the pole position. And I think tomorrow he will be very strong in the race because he had a very good pace."

Commenting on his own qualifying, Bagnaia admitted his mistake at the last corner was a result of him being "too hungry".
"For the qualifying, I make a very, very good lap time," the Pramac rider said. "In sector three I was very strong and very fast.
"But, I was too hungry in the last corner and I opened the gas too much and I went wide.
"But, in any case the lap time was incredible.
"For sure it's always nice to have a record in a circuit, but in any case we have demonstrated we are very strong and it's more important the pace than the lap time.
"We have demonstrated we can do this lap time, but also the pace.
"So, for sure, it was better to start on the front row. But in any case, the pace is so good so maybe the race will not be a problem."

Emilia Romagna MotoGP: Vinales takes pole position after Bagnaia lap cancelled
Vinales says wrong Yamaha tyre advice 'wasted' San Marino MotoGP round

Latest news
Espargaro diagnosed with heel fracture after 115mph Silverstone MotoGP crash
Aprilia has confirmed Aleix Espargaro, following further medical checks on Monday, has been diagnosed with a heel fracture following his violent 115mph Silverstone MotoGP crash.
The signs Quartararo’s 2022 MotoGP title is slipping away from him
Prior to the summer break, the 2022 MotoGP title looked like it was Fabio Quartararo’s to lose. But a crash at Assen and the consequential penalty he had to serve last weekend at Silverstone stopped him from capitalising on a main rival’s injury woes, while a resurgence from another, plus the rise of a former team-mate, look set to conspire against the Yamaha rider
MotoGP announces 2023 pre-season test dates
MotoGP has announced the provisional dates for 2023 pre-season testing, with three days in Malaysia in February followed by two in Portugal in mid-March.
Vinales “never” doubted Aprilia MotoGP move following Silverstone podium
Maverick Vinales says he “never” doubted his move to Aprilia from Yamaha would pay off after he scored his second-successive podium of 2022 in the MotoGP British Grand Prix.
The signs Quartararo’s 2022 MotoGP title is slipping away from him
Prior to the summer break, the 2022 MotoGP title looked like it was Fabio Quartararo’s to lose. But a crash at Assen and the consequential penalty he had to serve last weekend at Silverstone stopped him from capitalising on a main rival’s injury woes, while a resurgence from another, plus the rise of a former team-mate, look set to conspire against the Yamaha rider
Why Marquez’s toughest MotoGP foe is stopping at the right time
On the eve of the British Grand Prix, Andrea Dovizioso announced that he will be retiring from MotoGP after September’s San Marino GP. The timing of his departure raised eyebrows, but his reasoning remains sensible and what has happened this year should not diminish a hard-built legacy
Why a Suzuki refugee feels he deserves MotoGP's toughest challenge
Alex Rins’ MotoGP future was plunged into sudden doubt when Suzuki elected to quit the series at the end of 2022. Securing a deal with Honda to join LCR, he will now tread a path that many have fallen off from. But it was a move he felt his status deserved, and it’s a challenge – he tells Autosport - he faces with his eyes wide open…
How Formula 1 has driven MotoGP's changing nature
The hiring of technicians from Formula 1 has clearly contributed to a recent change in the MotoGP landscape, with the role of engineers gaining greater significance relative to the riders. Here's how this shift has come about
The revolution behind Aprilia's rise from MotoGP tail-ender to pack-leader
Coinciding with the arrival of Massimo Rivola as head of its MotoGP division, Aprilia has undergone an internal revolution that has spurred it from occupying last place in the team standings to leading the table in the space of just two years. Those entrenched in the project reveal how the ex-Ferrari F1 chief has achieved the dramatic turnaround
The battle Yamaha's wayward son is fighting to be fast again in MotoGP
Franco Morbidelli was long overdue a promotion to factory machinery when it finally came late last year, having finished runner-up in the 2020 standings on an old Yamaha package. But since then the Italian has been a shadow of his former self as he toils to adapt to the 2022 M1, and recognises that he needs to change his style to be quick on it
Why Honda and Yamaha have been left behind in MotoGP's new era
The once all-conquering Japanese manufacturers are going through a difficult period in MotoGP this season. With Suzuki quitting, Honda struggling to get near the podium and Yamaha only enjoying success courtesy of Fabio Quartararo, Japanese manufacturers have been left in the dust by their European counterparts. Key paddock figures explain why.
Who is Valentino Rossi’s newest MotoGP star?
Valentino Rossi’s protégés stole the show at Assen as Francesco Bagnaia stormed to victory to arrest a recent barren run. But it was the rider in second, on Bagnaia’s old bike, who had all eyes on him. Securing his and the VR46 team’s first MotoGP podium, Marco Bezzecchi has all the characteristics that made his mentor special