Marc Marquez Hints at Ducati Team Hierarchy: Who’s Calling the Shots?
Marc Marquez shares insights on Ducati’s team dynamics after the Barcelona test. Could a clear number one rider emerge for the 2025 MotoGP season?
Jorge Martin, fresh off his unbelievable 2024 MotoGP season, is ready for his next challenge with Aprilia in 2025. Reflecting on last year’s achievements, the World Champion argues his title-winning 2024 campaign puts him on par with the current MotoGP benchmarkers.
“I beat Pecco – so where does that put me? I don’t want to brag; I have my feet on the ground and know there’s still a long road ahead. But it’s clear that I see myself on his level. I think Marquez, along with Valentino, is the best in history, and Pecco is now part of that group.”
“The level we’re at now is incredibly high, which makes the value of this title immense. I think I’ve broken a barrier – it will be very hard to replicate.”
Looking toward 2025, Martin was clear about who he sees as his biggest rivals. “Pecco [Bagnaia] won two consecutive titles and finished second this year. Eleven wins [in 2024] – that’s crazy! That makes him the favorite.”
With Marc Marquez joining the factory Ducati team in 2025, Bagnaia will have a formidable opponent within his garage according to Jorge Martin. The World Champion was impressed by how quickly Marquez adapted to the Ducati in 2024.
“I’ve seen Marc’s data, and sometimes I thought, ‘Damn, how is he so fast on that bike?’ He didn’t always have it, especially in Thailand or Malaysia, but he also had some amazing races. He still has room to improve with the GP25 but it will be tough for him to reach Pecco’s level.”
While, logically, as current World Champion, he should be a title contender in 2025 as well, Martin remains realistic about his chances on the Aprilia. “I don’t know if I can succeed with Aprilia. We’ll give everything we have to make it happen, but I first need to see where the bike stands.”
“Last season, they were third in the constructors’ championship, so it’s not the best bike. There were races where they had no chance, finishing 15th. There are obvious problems we need to solve. I believe in the factory and know we can achieve great things together.”
Joining Aprilia is a significant step in Martin’s career. “Very few riders make it to MotoGP, but even fewer reach an official factory team. It’s great to have achieved that. Having 150-200 people working for you, engineers who listen and want you to win – it will be unique. I can’t wait to experience it as an official rider.”
The Spaniard is ready to shoulder the responsibility to lead the team starting in 2025. “I’ll never be the captain like Aleix [Espargaro] was – he spent nine years with Aprilia, taking them from nothing to race wins and fighting for the world championship. But I feel the responsibility to lead this project. I’ll do everything I can to bring this bike to the highest level.”
Jorge Martin ‘Couldn’t be Happier’ about Aprilia’s ‘Biggest Leap in Recent Years’
Jorge Martin praised Aprilia’s progress after his first test on the RS-GP. The Spaniard is happy about Aprilia's "biggest leap in recent years".
When asked who he expects to have the best bike in 2025, Martin didn’t hesitate. “I still see Ducati as superior to other brands, with a great rider duo in Pecco and Marc. They’ve won many titles. But who knows? MotoGP goes through different eras – there was the Yamaha era, the Honda era, and now the Ducati era. Maybe the next one will be different.”
“For now, I see Bagnaia as the favorite, with Marquez close behind. I’d place myself in the top three. In some races, I’ll fight with them, but in others, I’ll struggle more. The most important thing is that I improve and we make progress.”
