Giacomo Agostini explains how Valentino Rossi is inadvertently helping Marc Marquez at Ducati

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Marc Marquez enjoyed a perfect start to life at Ducati at the Thailand Grand Prix. The Spaniard claimed maximum points in Buriram.

Taking pole position, Marquez cruised to victory in the Sprint on Saturday ahead of brother Alex Marquez and teammate Francesco Bagnaia. The top three did not change in the Grand Prix as the 32-year-old claimed his first win in Ducati red.

Despite a tyre pressure issue midway through the race that handed the lead to Alex Marquez, the six-time MotoGP champion remained composed, He retook the lead with a few laps to go, eventually beating his brother by 1.7 seconds across the line.

Felipe Massa congratulated ‘legend’ Marquez after his victory at the Thailand Grand Prix. It marks the perfect start to the season for not just the Spaniard, but the Marquez family as a whole.

Father Julia Marquez was overwhelmed as his sons claimed the top two places in Buriram. It is the first time in MotoGP history two brothers finished first and second in a Grand Prix.

After a dominant weekend in Thailand, Marquez will be looking to carry the momentum into the next race in Argentina.

Giacomo Agostini says Valentino Rossi is giving Marc Marquez ‘further motivation’ to equal his nine titles

Riding with the factory Ducati team, Marquez has the best chance to win a seventh MotoGP title since leaving Honda. Injury and the Japanese manufacturer’s regression have hampered the Spaniard since his last title win in 2019.

Marquez could become the oldest MotoGP champion in 2025, surpassing the record set by his old foe Valentino Rossi. The Ducati rider could also beat his all-time fastest laps record if he grabs 14 in 2025.

Marquez says he is not thinking about Rossi’s record, saying that his comeback is more important. However, Agostini – who won 15 motorcycle Grand Prix titles in his career – begs to differ.

Writing for La Gazzetta della Sport, the Italian believes Rossi is giving Marquez ‘further motivation’. He can match his old MotoGP’s rival nine motorcycle championships this year with Ducati.

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

“At the start of the season you will miss Jorge Martin a little in this respect, because the reigning world champion can give that little bit extra that is needed to challenge Ducati,” wrote Agostini.

“The championship is long and there will be many stories to live, but already from Thailand Marquez has told a beautiful one: a rider who returns to the championship leader after painful and difficult years. You can see that his love for two wheels has helped him to recover despite the injuries.

“In addition, there is the Rossi question: since by winning the World Championship this year Marc can reach the Doctor’s nine titles and, knowing that there is not exactly good blood between the two, this can be a further motivation.

“After all, we riders are all like that, even when I was racing I would give myself a boost of competitive spirit knowing that I could equal and surpass the records of my rivals. It’s something that riders always think about sooner or later, because having a goal gives an unprecedented boost.”

When Francesco Bagnaia will have the ‘first chance’ to beat Marc Marquez

While Marquez enjoyed a brilliant weekend in Thailand, it was a different story on the other side of the Ducati garage.

Bagnaia was impeded by Franco Morbidelli in practice which cost him a place in Q2. He fought back to P3 in the Sprint but was unable to challenge the Marquez brothers out in front.

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

The Italian was fairly anonymous in the Grand Prix as he offered no challenge to his teammate. Neil Hodgson thinks Marquez dealt Bagnaia a ‘knockout blow’ in Thailand by dominating the weekend.

The 28-year-old is looking to right the wrongs of 2024 and regain the MotoGP title after losing to Jorge Martin by 10 points. But after one round in 2025, it is clear Marquez has the advantage at Ducati.

Argentina and Austin are two strong tracks for Marquez, leaving his teammate up against it. Sylvain Guintoli sees Qatar as Bagnaia’s ‘first chance’ to beat the Spaniard – he will hope to get the edge sooner than that.