MotoGP: Marc Marquez Signs with Ducati Lenovo Team and Races Alongside Bagnaia until 2026
Now it’s official: Marc Marquez has signed with Ducati’s factory MotoGP team, the Ducati Lenovo Team, and will race alongside two-time World Champion Francesco Bagnaia.
Ducati didn’t have much of a choice, as it ‘took a while’ to choose the rider for the next season, having two gems on hand: Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin.
As it did not make a promised announcement until the Italian GP, held last Sunday, Aprilia called Martin for a conversation and with the help of Aleix Espargaro, who will retire at the end of the year, managed to sign a ‘multi-year’ contract with him.
Thus, the ‘dispute’ for the position was between Marquez and the current rider, Enea Bastianini. But there was no way, Ducati directors had already decided between Marquez or Martin. As the latter was ‘kidnapped’ by Aprilia, all that was left for the Borgo Panigale factory was to close the deal with the eight-time World Champion.
For now, it has not been announced where Bastianini will go, but rumors say that the Italian has already signed a contract with KTM to race in the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team, replacing Pedro Acosta, who moves up in position to race in the KTM factory team.
Luigi Dall’Igna (General Manager of Ducati Corse): “First of all, I want to thank both Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martín for all their work with us over the last few years, and I wish them all the best for the future. This season, they have shown they have reached an incredible level, and we are sure they will be in the Title fight until the end. Deciding on Bagnaia’s new teammate in the Ducati Lenovo Team was not easy, as we had a list of very strong riders to choose from.
“In the end, our choice fell on an unquestionable talent like Marc Marquez. In just a few races, he has managed to adapt perfectly to our Desmosedici GP, and his innate ambition pushes him to grow continuously. In the box, we will have two riders who together hold 11 World Titles, and being able to count on their experience and maturity will be invaluable for our growth as well.”
Marc Marquez: “I am very happy to be able to wear the red colours of the factory Ducati team in MotoGP next season. Basically, from the first contact with the Desmosedici GP, I enjoyed riding it and adapted well straight away. From that moment on, I knew that my goal was to continue this path, to continue to grow, and to move to the team where Francesco Bagnaia has been the World Champion for two years in a row. I am happy to be able to take this big step in 2025 and grateful for the trust Ducati has placed in me.
“Finally, I want to thank Nadia, Carlo, Michele, and the entire Gresini Racing family for opening the door of their team to me at a delicate time in my career. Now, we will continue to have fun and give it our all in what remains of the current season, which is my priority right now.”
photos: MotoGP and Ducati