Francesco Bagnaia saw Mugello fans treat Jorge Martin differently to Marc Marquez

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Marc Marquez was booed at the Italian Grand Prix a year ago despite riding for Ducati. The whistles were particularly loud after his Sprint race victory.

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi even gestured angrily to the crowd, pointing out that Marquez was wearing red. The animosity, of course, stems chiefly from his bitter rivalry with national hero Valentino Rossi.

On his return from injury, Marquez wasn’t able to compete for the podium at Mugello this year, but fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin did fight at the front.

Francesco Bagnaia praises Mugello fans’ behaviour one year after Marc Marquez boos

Martin previously fought Francesco Bagnaia for the MotoGP title in 2023 and 2024 and it increasingly looks as if he’ll go head-to-head with Marco Bezzecchi, another Italian, for this year’s crown.

After a pair of second places this weekend, Martin sits 17 points behind championship leader Bezzecchi, who won the Grand Prix on Sunday.

When Martin spoke over the PA in parc ferme and received his trophy on the podium, he might have feared a hostile reception. But Bagnaia noticed that there was applause instead.

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“It’s incredible how easy it is to feel the passion of the fans here,” said Bagnaia, via GPOne. “When I was on the podium, I wanted to stay there.

“I also liked how we applauded Martin; usually the Italians are a bit harsh with the other riders, but today it wasn’t like that.

• READ MORE: Aprilia taunted Ducati with bike sticker before Marco Bezzecchi won Italian Grand Prix

“I enjoyed every moment this weekend, and seeing that sea of ​​people under the podium is one of the greatest feelings for a rider. The Mugello podium is the best in the world.”

Martin passed Bagnaia for P2 during the race but wasn’t able to put any pressure on Bezzecchi, eventually finishing 3.6 seconds behind.

Bezzecchi’s victory sparked memorable scenes, with circuit staff even opening a gate so he could get closer to the crowd during an emotional cool-down lap.