Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez is in the best position to compete for a MotoGP championship since the last of his six title triumphs in 2019.
Since then, he has battled through testing times and left Honda – the team behind his success – for good.
One year with Gresini was enough to prove to Ducati that Marquez still could perform at the top level after securing three wins on a one-year-old Desmosedici machine.
They signed him to partner two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia, as the Italian looks to avenge a close 2024 title loss this season.
Some of Ducati’s management were scared about singing Marquez over fears that he may upset the balance within the team.
Both riders are professionals though and Bagnaia isn’t one to cause trouble. He could easily have implemented dirtier tactics against Jorge Martin in 2024’s season finale, but he opted against it.
Marc Marquez ‘tried quite hard’ not to say he’s a MotoGP title contender in 2025
Roberto Rolfo believes Marquez is more error-prone than Bagnaia which is something that could affect any championship battle between the two.
Ducati won 90% (36/40) of the races on offer last season and have developed their dominant bike even further over the winter.
KTM’s financial issues won’t have made the chase any easier for the Austrian manufacturer, while Aprilia must make reigning champion Martin comfortable before focusing on gains.
It means that unless a satellite Ducati bike springs a surprise, it’s going to be a two-way fight for the championship between the two multiple champions.
According to The Race, Marquez ‘tried quite hard’ not to admit that he was a contender for the title at Ducati’s launch, but it’s an idea that will be lingering in his mind.
He has set the target of a top-three finish, but he achieved that on an old bike in his first season back at the sharp end of the grid last year.
Why Marc Marquez joining Ducati could be amazing for MotoGP
Fans were excited to see Marquez in red at Ducati’s bike launch as he underwent one of his first official duties as their rider.
There is just over one month before they hit the track at the Thailand Grand Prix for the first race of the season.
Ducati admitted they have a huge responsibility after signing Marquez. They realise that it’s rare for a team to have two multiple champions in their line-up.
Bagnaia is the favourite on form and his 11 race victories last year, despite committing a few mistakes, show that there is room for more improvement.
The two riders will be pushing each other all the way, which should make for cinema-like viewing for fans of the sport.
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