Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati have been dominant to start the 2025 MotoGP season and their advantage shows no signs of dwindling.
Marc Marquez has been dominant to start the campaign, closely followed by his brother Alex on the satellite Gresini and teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
It looks like a foregone conclusion that the six-time champion will add more silverware to his trophy cabinet after winning eight of the first 10 races for Ducati.
However, Marquez hasn’t been the only standout MotoGP performer in 2025. One of the bigger shocks has been Honda’s turnaround, with Johann Zarco leading the way.
After an exceptional start to the season in comparison to last year, Zarco doesn’t want Honda to tell him about upgrades because he wants to focus on his performance.
Zarco is fascinated by Marquez’s old Honda data and has been blown away by some of the things he managed. It’s no surprise that they have both been two of the best recently.
Johann Zarco believes Luigi Dall’Igna would be ‘proud’ to see him beat Ducati’s riders
After a four-year spell with Ducati between 2020 and 2023 which yielded one victory, Zarco joined Honda’s LCR Team in 2024.
It may have felt like a disaster, but things have improved tenfold this year. They’re contenders for the top eight at every race.
The Frenchman was a dependable rider and consistent podium finisher when he represented their Italian rivals.
Having worked with Luigi Dall’Igna during his time with Ducati, he believes that the Italian would still be happy to see him beat his own team on a rival bike.
“I would love to be the only non-Ducati rider to disturb the Ducatis,” said Zarco. “Just knowing Gigi Dall’Igna will be very proud with my capacity of a rider to disturb his organisation.”
READ MORE: Luca Marini should be worried by what Honda are now giving Johann Zarco behind the scenes
Why Johann Zarco is pushing himself into the conversation for a 2026 MotoGP promotion
While Zarco’s MotoGP future is secure for the time being, one of his rivals is yet to have his contract extended.
At the factory Honda team, there may be a vacancy for 2026 with Luca Marini’s current deal set to expire at the end of the current season.
Honda could sign Pedro Acosta, but Zarco is likely to be the far cheaper and more experienced option for them.
He’s a known quantity on their bike and could fill a void for a few seasons until they are capable of fighting for wins again.
With the regulations changing in 2027, they’re going to need a dependable rider with good feedback, and he offers them that option.
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