I will never forget Marc Marquez the 2024 season, in which he turned the page on one of the most notable stories in world sport, his six MotoGP titles with Honda, and a serious injury that almost led to his retirement until, in a sudden change of historical direction, abandons his contract with the Tokyo house to compete in the most modest team in the entire grid, Gresini. From where he began to build a new era that officially began last Tuesday in Barcelona with his debut aboard the official Ducati.
A debut which, although he spent the whole season with the GP23 of Gresini, made Marc “nervous during the first outing with the Ducati”, admitted Marc, who next season will compete with the official Bologna team , with Pecco Bagnaia as a companion.
“On a test day, the first in a new team, the main objective is to get to know the people. I spent 90 percent of the time with the GP25, Pecco and I had the same advantages and the same problems. GP23 At 24 there was a step, from 24 to 25 it's different, it's difficult to notice the step at first, but it's there,” he explained. “I feel ready to make specific comments to the factory, it’s fortunate that they coincide with those of my colleague”.
The signing of Ducati is, without a doubt, the reward for the tenacity of a Márquez who refused to let himself be defeated by technical limitations after overcoming the physical limitations of his injury.
“They have already released videos of smiles. We had four years of videos of fractures. Injuries are the other side of being an athlete. But by DNA you are a non-conformist, you always want more. The body is wise, it remembers injuries but adapts. “This year has been about growing and preparing for 2025.”
Although Márquez sportingly engineered a resumption for 2024, he ultimately reached the overall podium and won three grands prix.
“I answered the questions I asked myself this year, and in a positive way. I am competitive, that was the main thing, and this year I will be with the best bike on the grid, the best weapons to fight for a title more. Let’s see what I can do,” he asks.
“My challenge is to have a complete pre-season, where I can prepare well physically, and logically I would like to fight for the title. That's why I am with the best bike and in the best team. I have all the tools to fight for the title, now it will be in my hands“, said.
Regarding the choice of Ducati in his favor, Marc did not want to go into too much detail.
“You can be very educated, very beautiful, but if you don't give gas on the track you can't qualify for any motorcycle. Option A was clear, Ducati Factory. And when the door opened , I pulled out all the stops.” “
2024, how to win the title
After years of physical and sporting suffering which led him to think about retirement, in 2024 Marc will find the path to victories and above all physical stability.
“This year, the title was not won, but on a personal level, I won much more. Now I wonder how could I ever consider leaving him, but in my situation it made sense. What I will try next year is to be happy, because if you are happy, you are fast.”
Once in the official team, many expect to see a dominant Márquez.
“I have two chances to win the title, but These years I learned that winning is not normal. The normal thing is to finish second, third or fourth“, he warned.
“To approach the 2025 season, the only plan is to be fast on track to achieve the objectives.
We are in MotoGP, where my partner has won 11 races. Everything is difficult. The tendency is to say I've won a lot, but we're in the present.”
Márquez also spoke about the differences between working for Honda and Ducati. “I noticed them and you start to understand why Ducati is where it is. Life is action-reaction, and on Tuesday at 11 p.m. I already had messages on my cell phone about the path we were going to take. It was something I hadn't experienced.”
They asked him for a bet for 2025. “I will tell you before Thailand (first GP of the year). In the pre-season you can see who the favorites will be, I hope my name is there.”
Regarding his relationship with Gigi Dall'Igna and the Italian's role at Ducati, Marc is clear: “Gigi is for me the best leader. There are a lot of engineers, there will be better and worse. But you have to be a leader”I emphasize.
They also questioned him about the claims of Luca Mariniensuring that the 2025 World Cup “is written”.
“I wish it was written and it was so simple, but if you want to be champion you have to earn it on the track,” concluded the Ducati rider.