Marc Marquez says he’s shifting to the manufacturing unit Ducati workforce in 2025 to be taught from two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia, who he believes is the “reference” within the Italian marque’s line-up.
Gresini star Marquez made these feedback final weekend after ending third behind winner Bangaia and second-placed Andrea Iannone in Ducati’s Race of Championship occasion at Misano, the place the complete area was working on the identical street-legal Panigale V4 R.
The Spaniard ran fourth for almost all of the competition however closed up on Ducati’s World Superbike rookie Nicola Bulega within the final two laps, earlier than trying a last-gasp transfer on him on the ultimate nook.
Bulega ended up within the gravel because of their fierce battle, whereas Marquez went by way of to grab the ultimate spot on the rostrum in his first participation within the World Ducati Week.
Marquez was clear that he hadn’t finished something unreasonable in his battle and visited his Italian rival after finishing his media commitments to verify on him.
Bulega later acquired a helmet from the six-time MotoGP champion as a memento.
“I do not know if I touched Nico, I simply heard the noise he made when he slid,’ stated the 31-year-old.
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“Racing is like that once you race on the restrict, we noticed it within the first nook, the place there was a whole lot of contact.
“The overtaking was pure, I do not know if he braked just a little sooner than regular.”
Marquez will transfer as much as the manufacturing unit Ducati workforce in 2025 instead of Enea Bastianini as a part of a two-year contract with Borgo Panigale.
This may put him straight in opposition to Bagnaia, who’s going by way of a purple patch in his life having simply taken over the lead of the MotoGP standings from Pramac’s Jorge Martin and gotten married throughout the summer time break.
The 27-year-old additionally dominated the all-Ducati race at Misano after passing polesitter Iannone at Flip 1, taking the chequered flag with a profitable margin of virtually 1.5s from the GoEleven WSBK rider.
Marquez, who was by no means in rivalry to struggle for victory, crossed the end line 2.5s down off the chief.
Talking afterwards, the Gresini rider admitted that Bagnaia is the benchmark at Ducati and he might be studying a number of expertise from him when he turns into his team-mate.
“I’ve no drawback in recognising that Pecco is the present reference for the workforce and the model,” he stated.
“He’s an unbelievable rider and I come to that field to be taught from him and attempt to get nearer.”