MotoGP: Ducati Manager Responds Marc Marquez Signing Backlash

Saajan Jogia | Aug 14, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Marc Marquez (93) of Spain and Gresini Racing MotoGP before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna has responded to criticism for selecting Marc Marquez over younger, promising talent for the 2025 factory seat, revealing the decision was based on Marquez's experience and potential to deliver immediate results.

Recently, Ducati became the target of Francesco Bagnaia's statements when he highlighted that the team had strayed away from its strategy of hiring young riders and instead selected a six-time MotoGP champion like Marquez for the factory seat, who is set to become his teammate next year. Speaking to Crash.net, he said:

“I think [Ducati] decided to change their strategy, which was to believe in young riders and give them the possibility to arrive to the factory team and took Marc that is the one with [the most] titles.

“For sure [Marc] will be super competitive because already he’s super fast and next year he will have the top materials. Like more or less right now. But being in red for sure gives you more motivation to be at the top.

“I think [it] could be super good or a disaster! So we will have to see next year when we start. Could be a disaster if in case we start to scream or we start to have some ‘discussions’. 

"But I think we are both very smart and he will adapt perfectly.”

The results of the British Grand Prix have also raised concerns about Ducati's rider choices for the 2025 season. Enea Bastianini, who secured his first-ever Sprint win on Saturday and triumphed over Jorge Martin in a thrilling 20-lap race on Sunday, is set to join the Tech3 KTM team after being dropped by Ducati. Martin, also leaving for Aprilia, adds to the skepticism surrounding Ducati's decision to part ways with two strong contenders in favor of Marquez.

Following Bastianini's victory at Silverstone, Dall’Igna expanded on the decision to replace Bastianini with Marquez for the 2025 season and acknowledged the criticism directed at him and Ducati for their rider choices. Speaking to Sky Sports, as reported by Crash.net, he said:

“I am extremely happy for him [Bastianini]. Unfortunately, we had to choose one rider out of three. However, all of them would have deserved to be in the official team. As I have always said, it was a very difficult decision to make from a professional and sporting point of view, but also a human one. It’s clear that I’m here to receive criticism and accept it as it should be.”

While Marquez currently rides the GP23 MotoGP for Gresini, his legendary move to the factory Ducati team next season will provide him access to the latest and most competitive machinery in MotoGP, likely to be named the GP25.