Bagnaia and Marquez refuse to consider themselves favourites

The 2025 season of MotoGP is about to start, and Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez are undeniably the two big favourites for the title. Riders of the official Ducati team, they will be equipped with the Desmosedici GP25. The evolved version of the GP24, which dominated the championship from start to finish last year.

While it is suspected that the two men will be up front from the opening round of the championship in Thailand, it is difficult to say who will take the upper hand over his teammate at this start. The main parties concerned do not dare to take any risks either. Which gave rise to surprising exchanges on the Buriram circuit, at the end of the tests dominated by the Spaniard.

"I am at most the second favorite, Marquez confided in comments relayed by Marca newspaper. I'm in an official Ducati, but the favourite is Pecco Bagnaia."

The Italian knows the house better. He has won two titles there, in 2022 and 2023, and lost two others, in 2021 and 2024. Especially since the one who takes over number 63 in 2025 has still not digested his defeat. Victorious eleven times last year, he lost his status by ten small points, to the benefit of Jorge Martín. Despite everything, Bagnaia does not consider himself the favorite in 2025 either.

"Marc is the favorite, adds the double MotoGP world champion to answer a similar question. He seems to be doing better, he's had the opportunity to work harder, and I wasn't in that position to feel comfortable."

Ducati's opponents

Marc Marquez, however, does not forget to monitor the performances of other competitors. Given the performances of other teams during the tests, the Iberian assures that Bagnaia will not be the only rider capable of putting spokes in his wheels. "My main rival is Bagnaia, but there is also Pedro Acosta (KTM) and my brother Álex (Gresini Ducati). They will also be there. I don't forget Jorge Martín (Aprilia)."

The reigning world champion missed the test due to fractures in his right hand and left foot, but is aiming to return to form for the Thailand Grand Prix (February 28 – March 02). Although he did not test much with his new team, Aprilia has been preparing hard for his return, showing a strong face on both circuits in the pre-season.

“He’s not there and when you don’t see the name, you forget, recalls Marc Marquez. But he is world champion, and we saw with Marco Bezzecchi today that the Aprilia is fast."

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