Ducati have now done something they’ve ‘never’ done before ahead of 2025 MotoGP season

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Ducati utterly dominated the 2024 MotoGP championship with 19 out of 20 race wins. They will be the clear favourite for the title in 2025.

The factory Ducati team have brought Marc Marquez on board to partner with Francesco Bagnaia in 2025. With eight titles between him, the duo are set to contest a fiery championship battle.

Ducati’s dominance may not be as substantial in 2025, however. The manufacturer will have six bikes on the grid instead of eight after Pramac left to become Yamaha’s satellite team.

Bagnaia says Pramac will be a ‘big loss’, but even with two fewer bikes, Ducati will still be expected to command the field.

VR46 are now second-in-command to the factory Ducati team. Fabio Di Giannantonio was set to ride the GP25 bike alongside Marquez and Bagnaia in 2025.

However, after complications in pre-season testing, the manufacturer have scrapped work on the 2025 engine and opted for the 2024 spec. Bagnaia has called the machine the ‘GP24.9.’

Herve Poncharal says Ducati have six ‘real’ factory bikes in 2025 – they have ‘never’ done it before in MotoGP

It would have been unrealistic to improve on the 2024 engine with the 2025 spec – the GP24 won 16 races last year. But in pre-season, it was clear last season’s bike was still the one to have.

Ducati failed to perfect ‘very delicate’ engine braking with the GP25, ultimately forcing them to scrap the 2025 engine. Bagnaia apologised to the media for being a ‘liar’ about the engine as he knew the design was flawed.

Franco Morbidelli was asked to test the 2025 engine to help Ducati with their decision. The Italian, Marc Marquez’s brother Alex and Fermin Aldeguer are in a good position to compete on the GP24.

But with Bagnaia, Marc Marquez and Di Giannantonio now running the 2024 engine, Ducati have six ‘real’ factory bikes. Speaking with GPOne, Tech3 team owner Herve Poncharal says the manufacturer have never done this before in MotoGP.

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“But, until now, we thought the Italians would be racing with three 2025 factory motorcycles and three 2024 models,” he said.

“Now, all the riders have opted for the 2024 engines, so there’s going to be six equivalent full factory bikes with the 2024 version.

“There have never been so many ‘real’ factory Ducati on the grid! And I don’t see a single slow rider in this sextet.”

Which Ducati rider will come out on top in 2025?

Jack Appleyard says the feeling is Ducati are ‘standing still’ by opting for the 2024 engine. But with the extra data they will receive from the three GP24 riders, they are still in a strong position to dominate.

Morbidelli says victories are ‘definitely’ possible on the GP24. The Italian and Alex Marquez were highly impressive in pre-season while rookie Fermin Aldeguer may have to develop further before he can challenge for wins with Gresini.

Di Giannantonio suffered a major setback in Sepang after breaking his collarbone in a crash on day one. While Diggia will be quick once fully fit, Marc Marquez and Bagnaia are the clear favourites for the championship.

Bagnaia backs himself to win the title after missing out to Jorge Martin last season. But Marquez might have the upper hand after he blitzed the field in Buriram.

The Spaniard topped the times on both days at the home of the Thailand Grand Prix. Marquez may be playing ‘mind games’ with Bagnaia as the Italian encountered issues.