Marco Bezzecchi
Davide Tardozzi has hit back at critics who believe Marc Marquez has caused issues with Francesco Bagnaia since arriving at Ducati.
Before Marc Marquez became a factory rider for Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia had cemented himself as the lead rider at the team.
In the four years preceding the Spaniard’s arrival, #63 had challenged for all four of the previous riders’ championships and was successful on two of those occasions.
MotoGP fans believed sparks would fly between Bagnaia and Marquez, but unfortunately for the Italian, he was unable to get anywhere near his high-flying teammate once the flag dropped at the start of a race.
Bagnaia’s form was in stark contrast to Marquez’s entering the Ducati box, leading many to believe that the teammate dynamic between the two riders was becoming a concern.
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Davide Tardozzi debunks claims of tension between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez
During an interview with select journalists, including Manuel Pecino, at Ducati’s 2026 MotoGP launch event, team chief Davide Tardozzi was asked about the relationship between his two star riders.
More specifically, the teammate dynamic they share and whether or not the Spaniard proved to be an issue for Bagnaia upon his arrival at Borgo Panigale ahead of the 2025 season.
Tardozzi asserted that this was not the case at all, citing a Ducati team meal that was held earlier in the day as a perfect example of the good rapport Bagnaia and Marquez share.
He said, “Absolutely not, no. It was not Marc; it was his approach to the new bike, not Marc. I know that many people would like that we say that Marc created a problem, but it’s not true.
“Trust me, those two intelligent guys work very well together. Because they are intelligent before becoming professional riders and champions. They are very intelligent. They know each other very well.
“Also, we had a meal together today, and you need to record how they speak together because this is not the way.
“I’ve seen those things several times. If you hate your teammate, you don’t speak like this, as I saw even one hour ago.”
Bagnaia has recently echoed a similar sentiment to Tardozzi, highlighting how his relationship with Marquez since he arrived at Borgo Panigale has been nothing short of ‘excellent’.
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Francesco Bagnaia found an unlikely ally in Marc Marquez during the 2025 MotoGP season
Despite the idea of Bagnaia and Marquez being staunch enemies creating a sense of rivalry that Jorge Lorenzo thinks MotoGP needs, the truth couldn’t be closer to the opposite.
Marquez was seen advising Bagnaia during the height of his struggles throughout the 2025 season, which further reinforces the sense of camaraderie that the two teammates have.
Bagnaia found Marquez’s advice helpful, but the words didn’t seem to have much effect on the 29-year-old’s on-track results.
He continued to slip down the riders’ standings as the season ensued, which has led to him becoming vulnerable for an exit at the end of the upcoming season.
Pedro Acosta has been tipped to be the leading candidate to replace Bagnaia, but Ducati may not be able to guarantee that the amicable atmosphere remains if the young Murcian arrives.
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