The MotoGP transfer market has seen significant shifts, with Marc Márquez’s move to Ducati sparking intense discussions. Jorge Lorenzo spoke about these developments, expressing his surprise at the rapid changes and emphasizing Márquez’s strategic play to secure a factory seat.
The former rider highlighted how Ducati’s original plan to keep three top riders (Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martín and Márquez) was dropped following Márquez’s firm stance. He also touched on the potential competitive dynamics between Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia, noting that while Spaniard has the same bike, age might be a limiting factor in his performance.
Lorenzo said to DAZN: ‘I believe that the results, although the riders themselves denied it, have been fundamental. If Jorge Martín had won almost all the races, I think he would be in red now, despite having to fight with Marc Márquez for that future. It is true that he is still first in the championship. But Márquez, with a GP23, is the only one who is close to 2024 [bikes]; and it’s Marc Márquez. Therefore, [Claudio] Domenicali, with the pressure that Marc put on, preferred to secure Márquez rather than Martín. It’s that simple’.
In Lorenzo’s view, having the same bike as Bagnaia, Márquez ‘has no excuses anymore’ – as the #93 himself recognized. However, the three-time MotoGP world champion thinks that age could be a factor: ‘It’s the only thing that works against him’.
The first time Márquez and Bagnaia were rivals in MotoGP was in 2019, the first season of the Italian rider in the premier class. Lorenzo commented: ‘Pecco from 2019 against Márquez from 2019, it was evident that Marc was three steps above. Now, with the same bike, I am not sure that Marc will beat him in all the races’.