Marquez joins Bagnaia in bumper Ducati 2025 pairing
The Ducati factory squad will form one of its most formidable combinations ever with Marc Marquez to join Francesco Bagnaia in 2025.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marquez joined the Ducati fold this year having ended his decade long association with Repsol Honda.
The #93 has appeared with a new lease of life at the satellite Gresini outfit, scoring three podiums, which is more than what he did in his last two years at Honda combined.
Marquez’s elevation was a near certainty after it became clear the other contender to replace Enea Bastianini, Pramac’s Jorge Martin, was off Aprilia.
Martin has not done a lot wrong in the sister team, pushing Bagnaia to the brink and leads the 2024 championship, but the unmatched star power and record of Marquez was too good to resist for Ducati
With Marquez making it clear he wanted a factory bike, Ducati found itself deciding between Marquez and Martin for the one spot alongside Bagnaia.
Now much like in Formula 1, the biggest star in the sport will be making what was once an unexpected switch to the red, factory Italian team.
Whilst Marquez has battled injuries and uncompetitive Hondas since his last win in 2021, he has appeared back to his best riding the 2023-spec Ducati.
Marquez is now very excited he will have full factory support alongside Bagnaia for both 2025 and 2026.
“I am very happy to be able to wear the red colours of the factory Ducati team in MotoGP next season,” Marquez said.
“Basically, from the first contact with the Desmosedici GP, I enjoyed riding it and adapted well straight away.
“From that moment on, I knew that my goal was to continue this path, to continue to grow, and to move to the team where Francesco Bagnaia has been the world champion for two years in a row.
“I am happy to be able to take this big step in 2025 and grateful for the trust Ducati has placed in me.
“Finally, I want to thank Nadia (Padovani), Carlo (Merlini), Michele (Masini), and the entire Gresini Racing family for opening the door of their team to me at a delicate time in my career.
“Now, we will continue to have fun and give it our all in what remains of the current season, which is my priority right now.”
Ducati CEO Gigi Dall’Igna thanked both Bastianini and Martin in addition to welcoming Marquez.
“First of all, I want to thank both Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin for all their work with us over the last few years, and I wish them all the best for the future,” he said.
“This season they have shown they have reached an incredible level, and we are sure they will be in the title fight until the end.
“Deciding on Bagnaia’s new team-mate in the Ducati Lenovo Team was not easy, as we had a list of very strong riders to choose from.
“In the end, our choice fell on an unquestionable talent like Marc Marquez.
“In just a few races he has managed to adapt perfectly to our Desmosedici GP, and his innate ambition pushes him to grow continuously.
“In the box, we will have two riders who together hold 11 world titles, and being able to count on their experience and maturity will be invaluable for our growth as well.”
Whilst there is still much of the 2024 season to unravel, there is already massive excitement about seeing the #93 in red.
Will Marquez be able to do what Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo couldn’t and become a Ducati world champion?
Having one of the brand’s best in Bagnaia alongside him will now make it easy and it is set to be one of the most watched pairings in MotoGP history.
Image: Gold and Goose
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