Francesco Bagnaia recalls what his crew chief said to him after his first meeting with Marc Marquez

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Francesco Bagnaia recalled meeting Marc Marquez for the very first time in their first official interview together as factory riders for Ducati.

With just a four-year gap between the two riders who have lined up alongside each other in the factory Ducati team’s garage this season, it’s hard to believe the difference in the MotoGP era that both riders come from.

Bursting onto the scene in 2013, Marquez was catapulted to stardom as he broke a number of records on his way to a MotoGP world title in his very first season as a premier class rider.

Marquez was destined for greatness ever since he achieved world titles in the lower classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, something that Bagnaia had also tasted success with before he got his shot in the premier class in 2019.

READ MORE: Fans are all saying the same thing about Francesco Bagnaia after Marc Marquez wins the 2025 MotoGP title

Francesco Bagnaia recalls the spot-on prediction his crew chief told him about Marc Marquez in 2010

However, before both riders became ultimate world champions in MotoGP in their own respective careers, their paths crossed quite a few years prior during the 2010 season.

Marquez was gearing up for his third season in the lightweight 125cc class, and Bagnaia was chasing his dreams in the Monlau Competition for aspiring riders.

The two riders had a photo taken together, and it was brought up in their very first interview as teammates at the beginning of 2025.

Speaking to Marquez and MotoGP commentator Gavin Emmett, Bagnaia recalled, “Yeah, I remember the day perfectly. We were there for maybe the second or third test of the season with the Monlau Competition team there in Castelloli.

“Marc was there because he was training with the super motor, and then he just came to say hi. I was sharing the box with the garage with [Lorenzo] Baldassarri that day, that season.

“I just asked for a picture because he was a young Spanish rider that was doing a fantastic job with KTM the year before.

“He was already on the podium in both of the seasons he was racing, and my crew chief was Xavi Palacin at that moment, and he was saying to me, we have to look closely at him this season because I think he will do it, and he did it.”

READ MORE: Gresini director overlooks Francesco Bagnaia when naming contenders for the 2026 MotoGP title

Francesco Bagnaia has struggled as Marc Marquez’s teammate in the 2025 MotoGP season

When Ducati’s 2025 rider line-up was confirmed during the midst of the 2024 MotoGP season, Franco Morbidelli’s verdict that Marquez and Bagnaia would battle it out for glory was a sentiment that was shared by many.

However, the prediction didn’t end up coming to fruition. Marquez sealed his seventh premier class title in dominant fashion, securing the championship with five rounds to spare in a largely one-horse race.

On the other hand, Bagnaia has struggled immensely. After four consecutive seasons finishing within the top two riders of the standings, two of those being title-winning years, the Italian rider hasn’t been able to keep up with his high-flying teammate.

So much so that he is now in danger of not finishing in the top three in the premier class standings, thanks to the emergence of Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia as genuine contenders, week in week out.

The 28-year-old now needs to be very careful not to fall into the same rut in the upcoming 2026 season. If he does, it remains to be seen where Bagnaia will find himself racing in future MotoGP seasons.