Marc Marquez knows the truth about Ducati’s 2025 bike, but he’ll never admit it to Francesco Bagnaia

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Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have had two very different seasons with Ducati in 2025, but they both feel the same way about their bike, even if one will not admit it.

The problems for Bagnaia started before the 2025 MotoGP season got underway, when he tested the so-called ‘GP24.9’. It was clear that the GP25 was not suited to the Italian’s riding style; a sharp contrast to his teammate.

Throughout his career, Marquez has been able to adapt to any bike handed to him. He dominated MotoGP in the 2010s with Honda, even when he often did not have the fastest bike on the track.

It has been no different at Ducati in 2025, even after the Spaniard jumped from the GP23 to the GP25. He has adapted seamlessly to the Desmosedici, winning 25 races, including Sprints, and wrapping up the title by Motegi.

Meanwhile, his teammate has won just four races, complaining all year about a lack of ‘feeling’ from the front end. Bagnaia says the ‘DNA’ of the bike has changed from the GP24, and Marquez feels the same way.

Marc Marquez won’t admit that he prefers the GP24 because only he can win with the GP25

Bagnaia does not blame Marquez for his struggles in 2025, as he is facing problems with the GP25 whether he is on the track or not. Only Marquez has gotten to grips with it, while his teammate and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio have had difficulties.

‘All the riders’ seem to prefer the GP24 spec to this year’s bike, according to journalist and former engineer Giulio Bernardelle. Even Marquez favours it ‘within certain limits’, but this is something that he will never admit.

Ultimately, Marquez has been unstoppable on the GP25 due to his ability to adapt to any bike. He is the only one who can win with the machine, which keeps him ahead of his rivals.

Bernardelle said via Moto.It: “The 2024 engine, on the other hand, that’s the 2024 specification, which has its positive aspects. It seems that here too, putting together all the news that has come in, especially from the statements made by the various riders.

“The 2024 bike seems to be preferred by all the riders, in my opinion, by Bagnaia, by Diggia, and also by Marquez, within certain limits.

“It may be preferred in terms of corner entry, therefore braking, therefore engine braking, while the 2025 bike and the 2025 engine should be more powerful in terms of performance.”

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What is the truth about the difference between the Ducati GP24 and GP25?

It was initially believed that there was quite a difference between the 2024 and 2025 spec bikes. After all, Bagnaia has gone from winning 11 out of 20 races last year on the GP24 to crashing out from last place on the GP25 this year.

The Italian believes that there have been significant changes to the bike, given his dramatic drop in performance. However, it seems like there is not much difference at all.

Pablo Nieto says Bagnaia is wrong about the GP25, as it has minimal differences to the GP24. He is best positioned to give his verdict, seeing as VR46 run both bikes in 2025, and Franco Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio are separated by one point in the standings.

The confusing situation will certainly leave everyone wondering what Ducati will do for the GP26 next season. Marquez says Bagnaia’s struggles will not distract development, but it is hard to imagine a difficult outcome in the championship.