Marco Bezzecchi
The combination of Marc Marquez and Ducati has resulted in one of the most dominant MotoGP seasons of all time in 2025.
The Spaniard successfully secured his seventh premier class title, well in advance of the end of the campaign back in September. Since then, Marquez suffered a gutting injury in Indonesia, ruling him out for the rest of 2025, but the damage has been done to his MotoGP rivals, and all titles have been sealed.
Ducati will be ecstatic that their decision to go with the current champion over Jorge Martin has played out well for them. At times, their bike hasn’t been the best this season, highlighted by Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles, and yet they’ve still found ways to win.
Bagnaia has been ‘demoralised’ by Marquez, and not being able to match such a great rider would hurt anyone, let alone a two-time champion. Ducati have confirmed Marquez’s replacement for the next race in Portugal, but the team’s focus is likely to remain on preparing for 2026, even without their star man.
READ MORE: Marc Marquez knows the truth about Ducati’s 2025 bike, but he’ll never admit it to Francesco Bagnaia
Luigi Dall’Igna has ‘discovered’ that Marc Marquez is easy to work with at Ducati
Marquez’s 2025 title win is ‘unrepeatable’ from the point of view that it was secured with a whole five races to go. In the sprint race era, there were so many points left for his rivals to get, with no way to catch him, such has his form been so imperious.
After spending 12 years in the championship, ‘all’ of Marquez’s teammates say the same thing and believe that he’s a different animal compared to what they have faced elsewhere. His pursuit of victory is relentless, and that’s what will worry everyone in 2026. He might even come back stronger.
Ducati boss Luigi Dall’Igna has revealed to Diario AS that he has ‘discovered’ something about the 32-year-old since he started working with him this year. It has made their journey to the top even easier, and is a reminder of why his colleagues like him so much.
“Let’s just say I’ve discovered he’s very easy to work with,” he said. “He’s a driver who knows how to make everyone around him, everyone who works for him, feel comfortable.
“That’s why I can tell you that, for me, this is clearly an added value. Ultimately, motivating people is one of my tasks, and without a doubt, from this perspective, Marc makes my life easier.”
READ MORE: Alex Criville explains how Ducati have taken a ‘step backwards’ despite Marc Marquez’s MotoGP title
Why Marc Marquez’s absence is a big blow for Ducati’s 2026 preparations
Ducati have an obvious disadvantage without Marquez being around for the post-season test in Valencia this month, according to Davide Tardozzi.
The team manager knows that missing his data could leave a big hole in their preparations for 2026 and create a bit of a guessing game.
They won’t have any benchmark to go from at the start of next season, and Marquez’s title defence will be on the back foot before it has even started.
Marquez needs until January to be 100% fit, and until then, he has recognised that rushing his shoulder will do him no favours. Rest and recovery is the way to go.
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