Nine-podium MotoGP rider lost out on a Ducati factory deal for 2025 because he didn’t ‘put his mind to it’

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Ducati will be looking to continue their dominance in MotoGP in 2025 – but there have been major changes surrounding the manufacturer.

Ducati won all but one race in 2024 as Jorge Martin became the first independent team rider to win the championship with Pramac. The manufacturer’s eight riders gave them a clear advantage over their rivals as they beat KTM in the constructors’ standings by 395 points.

But for 2025, Ducati will have six bikes on the grid. Pramac have parted ways with the brand and entered an agreement to become Yamaha’s satellite team.

Francesco Bagnaia says losing Pramac is already a ‘big loss’ for Ducati as they will find it more difficult to maintain their dominance with two fewer bikes.

Furthermore, the manufacturer have lost three key riders, including defending champion Martin. The Spaniard has moved to Aprilia after being snubbed of the factory Ducati seat next to Bagnaia.

Marco Bezzecchi lost out on factory Ducati contract because he didn’t ‘put his mind to it’

Enea Bastianini has moved to the satellite KTM outfit Tech3 alongside Maverick Vinales. The Italian won two races for Ducati in 2024 and finished fourth in the standings.

Marco Bezzecchi will link up with Martin at Aprilia in 2025. The 26-year-old spent three years with VR46 from 2022-2024, achieving a best finish of third in the standings in 2023.

Bezzecchi’s decision to join Aprilia is interesting for many reasons, especially considering that he does not have the best relationship with Martin. The two have had many disagreements in the past.

And speaking on the The Race MotoGP Podcast, Val Khorounzhiy says the Italian’s move to Aprilia will be ‘complicated’ because of it. He also states that Bezzecchi would have had a factory Ducati contract available to him had he ‘put his mind to it.’

“I think Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia might be complicated,” he said.

“Not because he’s going to bomb, but because going to Aprilia to be second rider to a rider that you don’t necessarily hugely, super well get on with, is maybe not as enticing as having a factory spec Ducati and a factory contract at Ducati.

“Which would have been available at some point and I think would have even been potentially available for 2025, if he really put his mind to it instead of prioritising a works ride.”

Can Marco Bezzecchi improve at Aprilia in 2025?

Bezzecchi enjoyed three fairly successful seasons with Ducati, achieving nine podiums with the VR46 team – three of which being wins in 2023.

The 2024 season was disappointing for the Italian, yielding just one podium. Bezzecchi finished 12th in the standings – the lowest of the Ducati riders.

His move to Aprilia will offer a fresh start and the opportunity to develop as a factory rider in the premier class.

But defending champion Martin will present strong competition – not to mention he will certainly be on more inferior machinery compared to what he just left at Ducati.