This week saw the announcement of Marc Márquez joining Ducati as a MotoGP rider starting in 2025. Following the confirmation of Jorge Martín with Aprilia just two days earlier, this was expected, but not a few months ago when the eight-time world champion moved to Gresini.
The expectation was that Martín would finally secure the factory team spot he had fought so hard for and deserved – it’s worth noting that he was Francesco Bagnaia’s biggest rival in last year’s title fight and is currently at the top of the championship after seven rounds. Although a rider like Márquez entered the equation, especially due to his strong start to the season, it was expected that he could remain in a satellite team with an up-to-date bike in 2025. However, he did not accept this option, forcing Ducati to make an unexpected choice between him and Martín.
Resident commentator Ricard Jové on the “Dura la Vita” podcast recalled: ‘Marc Márquez made this spectacular move, leaving Honda – clearly leaving the door open to return if the bikes were competitive, which remains to be seen. From there, he arrived at Ducati with low expectations, thinking, let’s see if I’m still in shape’.
Jové highlighted that Márquez quickly demonstrated his level, creating an unforeseen situation: ‘In just a few races, seven to be exact, it happened that Ducati said: «Wow, he’s still in shape». That is the reality, that’s what happened. I believe that neither Ducati nor anyone else had expected to get to a situation where they had to choose the future; after locking in Pecco Bagnaia before the season started, they had to choose between Márquez and the «natural heir» to that spot, the current World Championship leader, Jorge Martín’.