Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi is confident that Marc Marquez will significantly elevate the factory MotoGP team’s performance when he joins in 2025. Marquez’s decision to leave Gresini for the works Ducati squad has been one of the biggest surprises in the 2025 rider market, especially after he declined a factory bike with Pramac in favor of the more prestigious Ducati setup.
The shift came as Ducati faced the potential of losing the eight-time world champion to a rival manufacturer, specifically KTM, which prompted a change in strategy. Initially set to promote Jorge Martin, Ducati’s management ultimately reversed course, leading Martin to sign with Aprilia for the upcoming season while Pramac will partner with Yamaha.
Having already secured three victories on the Gresini-run GP23 this season, Marquez is expected to be a formidable contender as a factory rider. Tardozzi believes Marquez’s presence will not only raise the competitive bar within the Ducati team but also enhance the performance of reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia.
“I think that Marc will bring the level of the team really high,” Tardozzi stated in a recent interview. “Having nice competition inside the team means that the riders will collaborate during practice, but when they are on the track, it’s up to them to show who is the best and who can win. We will not hinder anyone’s performance, as we have not done in the past.”
As Ducati approaches the end of the current season, the team is on the verge of clinching the riders’ title, with four of its riders still having a mathematical chance. However, the title race has largely narrowed to a duel between Bagnaia and Martin, with just 10 points separating them heading into the Australian GP next weekend. Meanwhile, Marquez trails by 81 points, and Enea Bastianini is 79 points behind Martin.
In a strategic move to maintain competitive balance, Ducati has reportedly ceased development on its GP24 bike, ensuring that all riders can compete on equal footing as the season progresses.
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