The season has barely started, and the MotoGP championship battle is already shaping up to be a thriller. Right now, the momentum is in favour of Francesco Bagnaia. After an eventful weekend in Texas, where Marc Marquez crashed out while leading, Bagnaia snatched the victory and reminded everyone that he’s very much in the title fight.

It was surprising—especially because Marquez usually dominates at the Circuit of the Americas. But this time, he pushed too hard and lost control of his bike in tricky, wet conditions. Many experts, including Sylvain Guintoli and Michael Laverty, believe this could be a major turning point in the season.

“We’re seeing the pendulum swing,” Guintoli said during coverage on TNT Sports. “Marc showed he’s not unbeatable. That gives Pecco the belief that he can beat him.”

Michael Laverty, also speaking to TNT Sports, added: “He was in control and had a good lead. But he took a risk, and it didn’t pay off. That’s his first big mistake this season—and it’s cost him momentum.”

Now the action heads to Qatar, a track that has traditionally favoured Bagnaia. He’s heading there motivated after his latest win. This situation feels familiar—just like in Texas, where Marquez had a strong past and Bagnaia had never won, but that changed. In Qatar, the story is flipped: Bagnaia won there last year, while Marquez hasn’t taken victory at the Losail circuit since 2014.

But let’s not forget Alex Marquez, who currently leads the championship standings by a single point over his brother. Bagnaia sits 12 points behind Marc in third place and is on a mission to stop him from claiming his ninth world title.

Plenty of riders are weighing in on this growing rivalry. Jack Miller, Bagnaia’s former teammate at Ducati, spoke on the Gypsy Tales Podcast and made it clear he doesn’t think Marc Marquez will have an easy run at the title.

“Pecco is one of the most determined riders I’ve ever worked with,” Miller said. “When he’s under pressure, that’s when he does his best work. He’s quiet, but his talent on the bike is incredible.”

Miller also believes Bagnaia doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves. “He rides in a way that’s so smooth and calculated. The stuff he can do on a bike? Man, I wish I could do that,” he laughed.

With Marquez making what could be a costly mistake, and Bagnaia regaining his form, all eyes now turn to Qatar. It’s shaping up to be another intense weekend. Don’t miss it.