Late Drama at Phillip Island: Bagnaia Crashes Out as Ducati Clinches Historic Triple Crown

Francesco Bagnaia's Ducati crashes at Phillip Island, with another Ducati bike racing past and crowds with Australian flags in the background.

MELBOURNE, October 19, 2025 – The 2025 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island delivered a dramatic climax today, as Italian factory rider Francesco Bagnaia suffered a gut-wrenching crash with only four laps remaining, abruptly ending a tenacious comeback attempt.

The Ducati star had successfully navigated the pack after starting from a distant 16th on the grid, fighting his way up to 12th position. However, his race-ending tumble at the notoriously tricky Turn 11 occurred as he pushed the limits of his Ducati Desmosedici GP. The incident stunned fans and proved costly, denying Bagnaia a potential top-10 finish and disrupting his rhythm in the final rounds of the season.

Di Giannantonio Delivers Podium for VR46

Despite Bagnaia’s disappointment, Ducati celebrated success through its satellite ranks. VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered a standout performance, brilliantly clinching the second spot on the podium. His impressive result underscored the inherent strength and competitive quality of the Ducati machinery across the entire grid, providing a much-needed boost for the Italian manufacturer.

Meanwhile, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro secured a cautious 18th-place finish. Pirro’s measured approach was crucial, as his ride was focused on gathering valuable setup data for the team ahead of the upcoming Malaysian GP at Sepang, offering a key operational silver lining amidst the track chaos.

Major Milestone: Ducati Secures Triple Crown

The day’s events culminated in a major corporate celebration: Ducati officially secured the 2025 Constructors’ and Teams’ titles, thereby completing the prestigious Triple Crown achievement. This triumph follows Marc Márquez’s earlier sealing of the individual Riders’ Championship.

Bagnaia, despite today’s setback, proves his consistent resilience by remaining a strong contender in fourth place in the riders’ standings.

Focus Shifts to Sepang

With the Australian GP now concluded, the MotoGP paddock turns its immediate attention to the Malaysian GP at Sepang. Bagnaia will be eager to bounce back immediately, while the detailed technical insights provided by Pirro’s data-gathering run will be critical in fine-tuning the bikes for the next key round in Southeast Asia. Fans anticipate more thrilling action as the season heads toward its final stages.