Ducati chief Luigi Dall’Igna saw something ‘amazing’ in Marc Marquez’s data before snubbing Jorge Martin

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Marc Marquez joined the factory Ducati team for the 2025 season at the expense of
Jorge Martin as Luigi Dall’Igna spotted something ‘amazing’ in his data with Gresini.

The Bologna Bullets are among the many MotoGP teams who will field new rider line-ups in 2025 after Ducati released Enea Bastianini and replaced him with Marquez. It was originally expected that Martin would get the move to the factory team to partner Francesco Bagnaia.

Ducati decided to part with Bastianini after two seasons as the Italian struggled to showcase his race pace often enough. Yet, despite losing to Bagnaia for the title in 2023 and ultimately beating him for the 2024 title, Ducati general manager Dall’Igna snubbed a move for Martin.

Luigi Dall’Igna wants to see what Marc Marquez can achieve on a factory Ducati bike

Marquez signed a two-year contract with Ducati last June after impressing Dall’Igna with his start to life on one of the Bologna Bullets’ satellite bikes at Gresini. Despite riding a year-old Desmosedici GP23, the six-time premier class champion quickly justified why he quit Honda.

Dall’Igna also signed Marquez to a factory Ducati contract before the 31-year-old had won a Grand Prix with Gresini. They found an agreement after the Spaniard had only penned three podium finishes through seven rounds, despite Martin leading the championship to Bagnaia.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

One key factor in why Ducati snubbed Martin for Marquez was the latter’s refusal to replace the former at Pramac in 2025. But Moto.it now reports that Dall’Igna also decided to favour Ducati signing Marquez over Martin after seeing ‘amazing’ things from his data with Gresini.

Ducati had no preference over who partnered with Bagnaia from 2025, so Dall’Igna was the driving force behind signing Marquez. The Italian wants to understand what is possible with one of the best riders in MotoGP history aboard the best bike for the current regulation set.

Ducati believe any of their riders can win the 2025 MotoGP title

Ducati let Dall’Igna decide their rider line-up for the 2025 MotoGP season given the Bologna Bullets are likely to continue dominating the premier class until the new regulations come in from the 2027 season. Simply, Ducati felt it did not matter as one of their bikes will still win.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend

But Dall’Igna’s desire to see what Marquez can achieve on a factory Ducati bike after shining for Gresini with a year-old machine cost Martin a promotion from Pramac that the Spaniard felt he deserved. Dall’Igna’s decision also cost Ducati having Martin in their ranks from 2025.

Martin reacted quickly to Ducati picking Marquez by signing with Aprilia to be a factory rider for the first time. Yet it will likely mean the 2024 champion will not retain his title as Aprilia’s bike is inferior to Ducati’s after taking 302 to 722 points in the 2024 constructors’ standings.