Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez took to the track together in Spain last week, stepping up their preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season.
For Marquez, it was a significant milestone, marking his first ride on the new Ducati Panigale V2. The lighter, yet less powerful version of the bike is part of Marquez’s transition to his new role as a factory Ducati rider. Meanwhile, Martin was testing the Aprilia RSV4, a machine perhaps more suited for larger circuits than the Aspar Circuit, which is more akin to a kart track. This marked Martin’s first day back on track since signing with the factory Aprilia team in January.
In a notable twist, the two Spaniards not only shared the track but also rode together, giving both riders an early chance to evaluate one another ahead of the official MotoGP testing sessions that will begin in February. This isn’t the first time the two have ridden together this off-season, as they also shared some motocross sessions in December.
The 2024 MotoGP season saw Martin crowned champion for the first time, and one of the key storylines was Ducati’s decision on who would partner Francesco Bagnaia for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Martin and Marquez were both vying for the second factory Ducati seat, with Enea Bastianini also in the mix. Initially, it appeared that Martin was the frontrunner, especially heading into the Italian Grand Prix, but by the time of the post-race test at Mugello, Ducati opted for Marquez, leaving Martin to sign with Aprilia.
Looking ahead to 2025, the storyline will evolve as Martin, now with Aprilia, seeks to challenge Ducati’s dominance in the championship. Aprilia was the only manufacturer other than Ducati to secure a race victory in 2024. As Martin faces off against Marquez and Bagnaia — both of whom are entering 2025 as the favorites — the stage is set for an exciting new chapter in the MotoGP season.
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