Ducati set to sign Marquez and spark mega MotoGP battle

Ducati set to sign Marquez and spark mega MotoGP battle

If the latest Marc Marquez rumour proves to be accurate, MotoGP will benefit greatly.

Ducati is reported to be on the verge of signing Marc Marquez to its factory team, resulting in a MotoGP battle royal next year.

That would pit six-time MotoGP champion Marquez against reigning two-time titleholder Francesco Bagnaia in a thrilling battle for supremacy among the best team on the grid.

Ducati had planned to go with Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, who are presently winning the championship for Ducati satellite team Pramac. However, the latter has been confirmed as an Aprilia rider for 2025, allowing Marquez to return to a factory bike.

Marquez, who is currently riding for another Ducati satellite team, Gresini, appears to have stated unequivocally that he does not wish to replace Martin at Pramac.

According to reports, Ducati panicked and offered Marquez the factory seat, forcing Martin to switch to Aprilia and leaving Bagnaia’s current factory teammate Enea Bastianini out in the cold.

It was believed that Marquez, who has recaptured his championship-winning form this season, might depart the Italian manufacturer after only one season.

Bagnaia and Marquez are fierce competitors who have previously fought countless difficult duels against one another, not always cleanly. It will require Ducati’s management to work hard next year to balance hegemony within the team.

Marquez would see a switch to Ducati’s factory squad as a significant victory. The Spaniard has recovered at Gresini this year after three challenging seasons following his last MotoGP title in 2019.

At Gresini, he has shown flashes of the ‘old Marquez,’ finishing on the podium in three straight grands prix to put him third in the standings, 35 points behind Martin, with Bagnaia sandwiched in between.

Furthermore, if the swap is finalized, MotoGP fans will win since they will be able to watch Bagnaia and Marquez square off.