Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez returned to form in MotoGP in 2024 after a difficult end to his spell with Honda.
After winning his six MotoGP titles with the Japanese manufacturer, the team began to regress in the 2020s as Marquez struggled in the midfield. The Spaniard also missed the 2020 season after breaking his arm in practice at Jerez.
Honda’s decline was evidenced by the fact they finished last in the championship in 2024. But Marquez had already left the team as he became a satellite rider for the first time in his career last season.
The 31-year-old joined Gresini Racing on a Ducati Desmosedici GP23. Partnering with his brother Alex Marquez, the Spaniard made an instant impact.
Gresini staff were stunned by how fast Marquez learned everything and got accustomed to the Ducati bike. One race the 31-year-old certainly showed his potential with the Bologna-based manufacturer was at his home race at Jerez.
Luigi Dall’Igna told Marc Marquez his first Ducati win ‘will arrive’ after Spanish GP Sprint crash
Marquez was mostly a spectator in the 2024 title fight between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. But that did not stop the Spaniard from showing his class as he grabbed pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.
It was an evident weekend for the 31-year-old as he battled hard against Bagnaia for the win in the Grand Prix, ultimately finishing second. Davide Tardozzi told Marquez he put on a ‘great show’ as he secured his maiden podium on a Ducati bike.
In the Sprint race the day before, Marquez was on course to grab his first win with the manufacturer as he passed Martin for the lead with six laps to go. But in the closing stages, the Gresini rider fell and slid into the gravel, handing the lead and win to his fellow Spaniard.
READ MORE: What Marc Marquez said to Francesco Bagnaia in tense exchange after Grand Prix of Portugal crash
Marquez ultimately finished the Sprint sixth. Speaking in the garage after the race, Ducati general manager Luigi Dall’Igna was left feeling ‘sad’ for the 31-year-old but reiterated that his first win ‘will arrive.
The exchange can be heard in episode one of MotoGP’s documentary series There Can Be Only One: “I’m sad for you, Marc. You’re doing a very good job”, says Dall’igna.
Marquez then responds: “Yeah, yeah.. but I’ll keep going”, before Dall’Igna replies: “It will arrive, don’t worry. It will arrive”.
Will Marc Marquez beat Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati in 2025?
Marquez’s win on a Ducati bike would eventually come at Aragon. He went on to win three races and grabbed 10 podiums as he finished third in the standings in 2024.
His performances prompted the factory Ducati team to sign him for 2025 to partner Bagnaia. The team dominated the championship last season as they won the constructors’ title by 203 points.
Marquez has the best chance to win his seventh MotoGP title since leaving Honda this season. But the Spaniard is playing down his title chances.
The 31-year-old says he aims to finish in the top three, with Marquez’s targets drawing rolled eyes in the Ducati press conference. Many expect him to challenge Bagnaia for the championship in what will certainly be an intense intra-team battle.
Experienced people in the paddock think Marquez will take Bagnaia apart in 2025, but they are not willing to go public with that opinion. Whether the Spaniard will get the better of his Italian teammate is anyone’s guess, but he will have the machine to compete this season.
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