Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez proved why he is one of the best riders in MotoGP last season as he returned to form from injury.
The Spaniard has not won the premier class since 2019 – his sixth MotoGP title with Honda and his eighth Grand Prix championship. Marquez broke his arm before the Spanish Grand Prix in 2020 and has undergone multiple surgeries.
During this time, Honda had begun a decline and the 31-year-old knew he had to leave to progress his career. Subsequently, he joined the satellite Ducati team Gresini in 2024.
Despite being on a year-old bike with the Desmosedici GP23, Marquez had an excellent season. He grabbed three wins and 10 podiums as he finished third in the standings, 116 points behind champion Jorge Martin.
His performances warranted a move to the factory Ducati team over Martin. Marquez will partner Francesco Bagnaia in 2025 in what will be a tense battle for the title.
Davide Tardozzi told Marc Marquez he put on a ‘great show’ after epic battle at Jerez
The Spaniard’s impact on a Ducati bike was almost immediate. Gresini staff were amazed by how quickly Marquez learned everything after a difficult few years with Honda.
Now on equal machinery with Bagnaia with the GP25 spec, many are expecting an intra-team battle for the title at Ducati. They have won every constructors’ title since 2020.
There is already some friction between the two factory riders following the 2024 season. Marquez and Bagnaia had a tense exchange after their collision in Portugal, the second race of the season.
READ MORE: Marc Marquez told Carlos Sainz where Jorge Martin was faster than him during 2024 MotoGP season
Two races later at Jerez, the duo produced one of the greatest battles of the season as Marquez fought Bagnaia for the win on his year-old GP23.
The Spaniard came up short as he finished second to Bagnaia – marking his first podium on a Ducati bike. After the race, team manager Davide Tardozzi came to the Gresini rider to praise him for his performance.
Tardozzi’s message can be heard in episode one of MotoGP’s documentary series There Can Only Be One. He said: “I told [Bagnaia] that fighting against an eight-time World Champion is tough but you put on a great show, honestly!”
Marc Marquez is playing down his title expectations with Ducati in 2025
Marquez has the best chance to win a seventh MotoGP title in 2025 with Ducati. But the Spaniard is staying tight-lipped about his aspirations this season.
The 31-year-old is simply expecting a top three finish, but many will see him as one of the favourites for the championship alongside Bagnaia. Marquez’s targets drew smirks in the Ducati press conference, but it is unlikely he would have said anything rash.
Bagnaia won 11 of the 20 races last season and knows the Ducati setup having been with the team since 2021. He has finished in the top two of the championship every season with the Bologna-based outfit.
But with his performances on the GP23 bike last year, Marquez will certainly be the Italian’s biggest challenge in 2025.
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