Ducati: "Márquez/Bagnaia, the others didn't really believe it"

Many observers predicted sparks between Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia during this 2025 season. The two men, with nine titles MotoGP combined, had never before faced each other for the supreme crown. The Italian was making his debut in the premier class when the Spaniard was winning his last titles, while Márquez was injured and then riding a much less successful Honda when Bagnaia won his two titles.

The presence of the number 93 on a Ducati GP23 from the Gresini team last year led to a few battles between the two riders, who now have exactly the same equipment. Of the ten races, spread over five meetings, Marc Márquez has so far won eight, and Pecco Bagnaia only one. The battles between the two men were not numerous, but in Jerez, Spain, the two Ducatis came into contact on the first lap.

Márquez and Bagnaia, "not just two champions"

Not enough to change the atmosphere in the team that has dominated the discipline since 2022. Davide Tardozzi, team manager of the official team of the Borgo Panigale brand, also salutes on the official MotoGP website the collaboration between its two champions. A collaboration highlighted on the occasion of the first day of post-Grand Prix testing organized in 2025, last Monday in Jerez de la Frontera.

"As usual, the riders mainly talk during these testing and development days. The relationship between the two clearly helps Gigi (Dall'Igna, Ducati Corse's general manager. Ed.) and the engineers to develop the bike, and that's something we appreciate. The others didn't really believe it, but we don't just have two champions, we have two smart guys who understand that if they work together, we will accelerate the bike's development."

During the test day in Spain, the two riders were also able to try to improve their own feel on the bikes. With two very distinct problems, on the front for Marc Márquez (his two falls this season have come from losing the front), and the overall balance for Francesco Bagnaia, who is generally a notch below the two Catalan brothers, who lead the world championship.

"We tried different things with both riders. On Marc's side, we focused more on the front end, to increase his confidence entering corners. With Pecco, we tried to improve the balance of the bike, which he wasn't very comfortable with during the weekend. We have new parts, including a swingarm that we need to test again."

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