MotoGP: Pecco Bagnaia credits Rossi & Stoner after reigniting title tilt at Silverstone

Pecco Bagnaia’s title hopes might not be dead and buried just yet with him kicking off the second part of the MotoGP season in fine style on Sunday at the British Grand Prix.

The Ducati man has had a fair amount of ups and downs so far this season and that has seen him drift away from the championship summit, with Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro looking like the two men who would feasibly challenge for this year’s crown.

However, Silverstone could prove a catalyst for a late charge from Bagnaia, with him taking his second straight victory in the championship to close the gap to Quartararo down to 49 points.

Of course, there is still a long way to go and both Fabio and Aleix remain in the strongest position but with them only finishing P8 and P9 respectively on Sunday, it is clear that there are still plenty of twists to come this season in terms of the championship battle.

The race itself had looked in the hands of Johann Zarco, with the Frenchman out in front having launched away well from pole position, but a crash left him dropping down to the very rear of the field.

Zarco was third in the championship standings going into the weekend and a win here, given Fabio and Aleix’s results, could well have boosted his own title hopes but, instead, he’s ended up losing more ground and seen Bagnaia overtake him in the table.

Speaking after the race, Pecco had this to say, with him crediting Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner for recent advice:

“I have to thank my team, who did an amazing job today. I place this victory as one of my best and I feel that this is the best victory I’ve had because, although it’s never easy, it wasn’t easy and today we suffered more. I want to thank my coach, Carlo, Vale and Casey because we have