Former MotoGP race winner Carlos Checa believes Francesco Bagnaia leaves the Americas Grand Prix “more motivated than ever” after Marc Marquez’s crash.
Bagnaia picked up the pieces to produce his first win of the 2025 season after his team-mate crashed out of a comfortable lead at Turn 4 on Lap 9.
Marquez marked his first retirement in red after completing back-to-back Grand Slams in Thailand and Argentina, despite being a clear favourite to make it three-in-a-row with seven wins in Austin.
The Turin-born rider secured his first win in the Lone Star State, with the calendar heading to Lusail and Jerez for the next two rounds – races he won at in his history-making 2024 season.
The repercussions of Marquez’s crash place his younger brother Alex Marquez one point above him at the top of the championship, with Bagnaia 12 points adrift.
“Pecco [Bagnaia] was hurt after last year, due to not winning the championship with the factory team and being beaten by Jorge Martin,” Checa said to GPOne.
“On the other hand, Marc’s [Marquez] arrival at this start of the season was also difficult for him, not to mention his confidence and pace.
“On Saturday, we saw that he was aggressive, that he was determined at the beginning, but then couldn’t stay that way for all the laps and pass Alex [Marquez], while on Sunday he managed to do it.
“Marc’s mistake gave Pecco the win and gave him wings and motivation. Pecco obviously leaves here stronger and more motivated than ever because he might think that it was because of his pressure that Marc made the mistake.
“Whatever the reason, Pecco is in better shape than ever and in the next races I think we will see him more combative.”
Checa concludes Marquez’s crash was simply a ‘mistake’
The former WorldSBK champion believes Márquez’s crash was caused by a momentary lapse in concentration.
The Spaniard’s crash at Turn 4 occurred when he rode over a kerb that was wetter than expected, causing him to lose the front of his Panigale.
“At the moment he is still the fastest, he is unquestionably superior,” Checa concluded.
“It’s just a matter of controlling these moments at the limit. Pecco didn’t overtake him at any time, he was the one who made a mistake and lost the race from there, but nothing more.
“Marc is the fastest. He made a mistake and couldn’t finish, nevertheless, we will see if he will be the fastest in Qatar or not. I believe he will be anyway.”
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