Marc Marquez ‘worries’ Mattia Pasini after what he heard Ducati rider say about Francesco Bagnaia

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Marc Marquez is less than a week away from making his race debut for Ducati at the Thai Grand Prix, having stepped up from Gresini to partner Francesco Bagnaia in red.

The Borgo Panigale crew have the two clear favourites for the 2025 riders’ title in their ranks after opting to move on from Enea Bastianini. While Ducati are keeping their GP24 engine in 2025, the Bologna Bullets’ bike remains the one to beat ahead of the first round on March 2.

Joining Bagnaia at Ducati with a factory-spec bike promotes Marquez back into the title fight after five years, as well. The 32-year-old sealed his sixth title as a MotoGP rider back in 2019 with Honda. His move to Gresini for 2024 saw Marquez take third while using a Ducati GP23.

Gresini celebrated three Grand Prix victories thanks to the Cervera native in 2024 – and each even came after Ducati snubbed Jorge Martin to sign Marquez. Now, the Italian crew have to juggle having two champion riders, but Mattia Pasini is not buying what Marquez has to say.

Marc Marquez ‘made his bluff’ claiming he and Francesco Bagnaia will not clash at Ducati

Marquez has gone on the record several times to play down fears that he and Bagnaia might have an explosive relationship. The Spaniard is fully convinced he is at a stage in the six-time premier class champion’s career where he and the two-time title-winner can work together.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

He recently said: “If you put two roosters in the same pen at 22 or 25 years old, it’s bad. It’s a bomb. But he’s 27 and I’m 32. Pecco is a gentleman. He’s calm. We have worked together during the preseason [and] have shared many conversations to get the best possible bike.”

But Pasini is ‘sceptical’ that Marquez and Bagnaia can work as one for Ducati, given they are the two favourites for the 2025 MotoGP riders’ title. There have also already been claims of Marquez playing mind games on Bagnaia by rubbing salt in the wounds at the Buriram Test.

Pasini told Moto.it: “Marquez is still a great player, isn’t he? He made his bluff – it’s not true. I think that it’s natural when there are two champions in the same garage who want to win, to get to a point that if you’re playing for the world championship, it’s natural.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

“[Marquez] is certainly an eight-time world champion and doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. But I’m still sceptical about the atmosphere that will be created after the first races when the world championship will have to be played out inside the garage.

“So, that’s something that still worries me. However, as I’ve always said, I think Pecco is the rider – maybe the only rider – intelligent enough, to tolerate Marquez in the garage. So, it could be a great opportunity, a great motivation for him and also beat him on equal terms.”

Pecco Bagnaia has tried to stamp his mark at Ducati after Marc Marquez’s arrival

Pasini may be right to suggest Bagnaia can handle whatever mind games Marquez strives to play at Ducati this year. The Italian will also be determined to win back the riders’ title after Martin prised it away before leaving the Ducati stable with his move from Pramac to Aprilia.

Bagnaia won the title in 2022 and 2023, and the Italian may have won it in 2024 if the 28-year-old matched Martin’s consistency in the Grands Prix. So, while Marquez has tried to play down his title chances, Bagnaia thinks he will ‘obviously’ win the 2025 MotoGP title.