Jorge Martin names nine-podium MotoGP rival he fears even more than Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez

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Ducati’s mighty triumvirate has been broken up for 2025. That’s after world champion Jorge Martin left to join Aprilia.

Martin has delighted MotoGP fans by taking the #1 plate, but he might not have it for long. Ducati are the overwhelming favourites heading into 2025 given their recent dominance.

To retain his title, Martin will somehow have to beat Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez on what is likely to be faster machinery. Ducati scored more than double the points of Aprilia in last year’s constructors’ championship (722 vs 302).

Bagnaia won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 but he lost out to Martin last year in a battle that went all the way to the season-ending Solidarity GP. Just 10 points separated the two riders in the end.

In a recent interview, Bagnaia admitted he was ruing his mistakes on his honeymoon. He’ll have to overcome those psychological demons this year.

Marquez, meanwhile, looks ready to win the world championship for a seventh time in the premier class. He was outstanding on a year-old GP23 bike last term, amassing 392 points to finish third.

Jorge Martin fears Marco Bezzecchi most ahead of Aprilia MotoGP duel

Speaking to Sky Italy at the Aprilia launch event on Thursday, Martin was asked whether he fears Bagnaia or Marquez more heading into 2025. The Italian was his title rival last year, but his compatriot is by far the most successful rider on the grid.

Predictably perhaps, Martin didn’t answer that question directly. Instead, he shifted the focus to teammate Marco Bezzecchi.

Bezzecchi had a difficult year in 2024, finishing 12th in the championship – two spots lower than teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio even though the latter missed three races due to injury. But he is a three-time MotoGP winner with nine podiums to his name overall.

It remains to be seen whether Aprilia can preserve harmony in their garage this year. Martin and Bezzecchi were involved in an acrimonious rivalry during their Moto3 days, with the Spaniard prevailing in the championship fight.

“It’s hard to say now, the one I fear the most is Marco because he’s my teammate and he’s the one I have to beat first,” Martin said. “These questions are always being asked these days but we’ll see, there’s no rush. We have to work to get at least close to the Ducati which is in great shape now.”

Marco Bezzecchi shares his instant reaction when he received Aprilia MotoGP offer

One journalist believes Bezzecchi could have had a factory Ducati contract if he really ‘put his mind to it’. It could take Aprilia multiple years to compete with their Italian counterparts.

But Bezzecchi will be thankful he secured a factory ride for 2025 despite his struggles last year. His move offers an opportunity to reset.

Indeed, Bezzecchi admits he was surprised by Aprilia’s offer. Massimo Rivola has welcomed an all-new line-up for this year after bidding farewell to Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales.

Vinales made the surprise decision to join KTM satellite team Tech3. Espargaro, on the other hand, is now semi-retired after stepping back into a test role with Honda.