Frankie Carchedi thought Marc Marquez would have won more races when he joined Gresini

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Before his return to brilliance with the factory Ducati team, Marc Marquez impressed at Gresini during his first season in MotoGP atop a bike from the Italian constructor.

Marc Marquez sought a ride on Ducati machinery following several years of injury mishaps and poor performance with Honda.

The Spaniard instantly made an impression at Gresini upon his arrival at the team ahead of the 2024 MotoGP season.

One Gresini technician previously highlighted how Marquez could accurately map out a throttle trace from memory in an ‘unbelievable’ testament to his natural ability on two wheels.

• READ MORE: Marc Marquez ‘had to know’ one thing before making MotoGP retirement decision amid Honda woes

Marc Marquez’s crew chief reveals how the Spaniard didn’t quite meet all expectations at Gresini

During a TNT Sports documentary that detailed Marquez’s title-winner campaign this year, the Spaniard’s former crew chief at Gresini, Frankie Carchedi, highlighted what the most special moment of Marquez’s tenure at the team was.

Carchedi said, “Obviously, Aragon was special. It was in Spain as well in front of his fans, and you knew it was coming.

“I can’t say I wasn’t expecting it. He’ll probably laugh, but I thought he might have won a couple more.”

That weekend at MotorLand Aragon proved to be Marquez’s breakout ride atop Ducati machinery.

It served as his first premier class win since the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, 1,043 days prior. It also marked his very first perfect weekend under the new format, as he took victory in both the Sprint race and Grand Prix.

Marquez would go on to replicate his dominance in 2025, snatching a victory in both races again on his way to a seventh MotoGP world championship.

• READ MORE: Marc Marquez has now kept the promise he made to Honda boss in 2022 as he wins MotoGP title

Frankie Carchedi also noted Marc Marquez’s first impressions of a Ducati bike in his debut test with Gresini in 2023

Marquez’s shocking switch from the factory Honda team to Gresini Racing caught many by surprise during the 2023 premier class season, and his first official test with his new team was one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.

Carchedi also recalled the day, as well as Marquez’s first impressions of the new bike that he would race atop in the following year.

The Gresini crew chief said, “When we rocked up at the track at Valencia for the test, there were like 2,000 people behind the garage, and you’re like, wow.

“I think with any rider, but especially with Marc, he doesn’t really give much away. So when he smiled, I think it was like, ‘Okay, maybe a little bit better than even he thought.’”

The Spaniard’s good mood that day recently received some attribution, after Marquez revealed that he would have retired if he wasn’t able to post competitive times with Gresini.

The switch was a pivotal moment in his career, and if things hadn’t gone exactly how they have over the last two years, we may not be getting ready for another year of Marquez in MotoGP.