Marc Marquez is confident that his relationship with Italian MotoGP fans will continue to improve as he prepares for his move to Ducati in 2025. After a turbulent past with the passionate Italian crowd, largely due to his intense rivalry with Valentino Rossi, Marquez believes his recent performances have helped heal some of those old wounds.
In 2024, Marquez left Repsol Honda to join the Gresini Ducati team, a shift that saw him race for an Italian manufacturer and team. While some skepticism met his transition, Marquez’s success with Gresini—including three victories, with a dream win at Misano—helped soften his previously strained relationship with the fans.
“I always try to work hard,” Marquez said during Tuesday’s Campioni in Festa celebration in Bologna. “I won a race in Misano with the Gresini team, and I hope to get a good result at Mugello in front of the Italian fans this year.”
Despite the occasional booing, particularly when he took the podium at Misano, Marquez remains optimistic. He believes that his professional approach and strong results with an Italian team will continue to improve his rapport with the fans. “The relationship with Italian fans has had difficult moments, but each time it gets better,” he added. “I’ve always tried to be professional and do my part. I raced for an Italian team, Gresini, which gave me back my confidence, and now I race for an Italian manufacturer. I’m sure there will be a good relationship.”
Marquez, who will turn 32 in February, reflected on the evolution of his career, noting the difference in the current generation of riders. “The guys I race with now are friendlier!” he remarked, acknowledging the youthful determination of today’s competitors. “When I arrived at 20, I was inexperienced, but now I’m one of the most experienced riders. Everyone has their own career and story, but all the young guys arrive in MotoGP with great determination, and we work hard to be ready to fight with them.”
With Marquez’s Ducati debut just around the corner, his anticipation for the future is clear. He looks forward to building stronger bonds with the Italian fans and continuing his journey among MotoGP’s elite, alongside his future Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia, who has already expressed support for Marquez and hopes for a positive atmosphere in the paddock.
As the new season approaches, Marquez is ready to start his next chapter in MotoGP, full of optimism and a desire to continue growing his relationships both on and off the track.
Leave a Reply