Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – Ducati’s highly anticipated ‘dream team’ of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez officially unveiled the 2025 MotoGP livery on Monday during a stunning launch event in the snowy mountains of Madonna di Campiglio. The new design, featuring Ducati’s signature red with subtle updates, also prominently includes Marquez’s iconic number 93, marking the start of his second season with Ducati and his first as part of the factory team.
The pair, boasting a combined 11 world titles across all classes, expressed excitement for the upcoming season. “I hope 2025 will be a year of fun and fighting for victories,” said Marquez. Bagnaia, fresh off narrowly missing a third consecutive MotoGP title in 2024, added, “I can’t wait to get started again.”
Ducati has dominated MotoGP in recent years, winning the manufacturers’ title for five consecutive seasons. With Marquez’s six premier-class crowns and Bagnaia’s two titles, Ducati now fields the most decorated rider lineup in the sport. Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s General Manager, didn’t hold back his confidence: “We have two champions, the best riders on the grid, in my opinion.”
Marquez’s Journey to Ducati
Marquez made a sensational debut with Ducati in 2024, securing three wins and finishing third in the championship aboard a year-old Gresini Ducati. His performances impressed Ducati enough to offer him the coveted factory seat for 2025, a move that came at the expense of Jorge Martin, who dethroned Bagnaia to claim his first MotoGP crown last season.
The decision to sign Marquez sparked controversy, especially in Italy, due to his past rivalries with Valentino Rossi, Bagnaia’s mentor. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali acknowledged the divide but emphasized Marquez’s undeniable talent. “The choice of Marquez is divisive. Much more so in Italy due to his way of riding and what happened in the past [with Rossi]. But no one questions his talent,” Domenicali said.
For Marquez, the move to Ducati represents a golden opportunity to chase his seventh premier-class title, which would tie him with Rossi. However, he acknowledges the challenge of integrating into a team where Bagnaia has established himself as the leader. “Pecco is the reference point,” Marquez admitted. “He’s the one who’s given Ducati two world titles and won eleven races last year. My goal is to get closer to him and prove my worth.”
Bagnaia vs. Marquez: Rivalry Turned Partnership?
The dynamic between Bagnaia and Marquez will undoubtedly be one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 season. Their on-track battles in 2024 were intense, including a dramatic collision in Portimão and a thrilling duel in Jerez, where Bagnaia muscled past Marquez for victory. “If Marc sees you bleeding, he devours you,” Rossi quipped after the Jerez race, praising Bagnaia’s resilience.
Bagnaia himself acknowledged the potential volatility of their partnership, saying last season, “It could be super good, or a disaster!”
Testing the GP25
Both riders have already begun developing the GP25 prototype, logging laps during the November test in Barcelona. While Marquez and Bagnaia posted competitive times, they both noted areas for improvement. “The GP25 is very good in some aspects but more challenging in others,” Marquez said. “The key is to create a bike that’s consistent across all 22 rounds.”
The upcoming tests in Sepang (February 5-7) and Buriram (February 12-13) will be crucial in finalizing the bike’s setup ahead of the Thai Grand Prix season opener on February 28.
With two of MotoGP’s most accomplished riders sharing the garage, Ducati enters 2025 as the clear pre-season favorite. Whether their partnership flourishes or falters, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the red machines as they aim to rewrite MotoGP history.
