Will the Old Marc Marquez Return with Ducati’s MotoGP Team

The MotoGP world is abuzz with speculation as Marc Marquez prepares to join Ducati’s factory team in 2025 alongside reigning two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia. This move, coupled with Marquez’s impressive debut on Ducati machinery during post-season testing in Barcelona, raises the question: will the eight-time world champion recapture the form that once made him a dominant force in MotoGP?

A Promising Start with Ducati

Marquez showcased his potential on the Ducati during the Barcelona test, clocking the fourth-fastest lap time, trailing only his future teammate Bagnaia. This marks a strong beginning as he transitions from his 2024 campaign with Gresini, where he will ride a year-old Ducati GP23 and has already proven his mettle by winning three Grand Prix races.

The upcoming season is seen as a bridge year, setting the stage for Marquez’s anticipated full-time return to the championship fight in 2025. However, the challenges ahead are significant, particularly for a rider who has faced serious injuries since his heyday with Honda.

The Evolving Marquez: A Strategic Approach

Marquez’s journey from being an unstoppable force with Honda to a more calculated competitor has been shaped by the injuries he sustained in 2020. Speaking on the Crash MotoGP podcast, journalist Lewis Duncan highlighted Marquez’s transformation:

“The Marquez we’ll see next year won’t be the same rider from his Honda prime. Ducati and Honda are fundamentally different beasts. But we’ll witness a more serious and thoughtful Marc Marquez, as he knows the stakes are high.”

Duncan predicts that while Marquez is likely to approach racing more strategically, his hunger for victory remains unquenched. His potential to excel on Ducati’s latest factory bike, especially given Bagnaia’s optimism about its advancements, signals a promising future.

Adapting to Ducati’s Team Dynamics

Jordan Moreland, social media manager and podcast host at Crash, points out the nuanced team dynamics Marquez will face at Ducati. Unlike his rookie days at Repsol Honda, where he partnered with Dani Pedrosa, Marquez is now joining a team firmly established around Bagnaia.

“Marquez will have to navigate a team that is Bagnaia’s domain. It’s a different environment for him, especially now that he’s more expressive and open about his emotions. He may need to play the long game and carefully assert his influence within the team.”

Comparisons to Rossi’s Late-Career Evolution

Peter McLaren, MotoGP editor for Crash, draws parallels between Marquez’s current trajectory and the late-career phase of Valentino Rossi. Like Rossi, Marquez has transitioned from being a young, explosive rider to a seasoned veteran, relying on experience as much as raw speed.

“Marc is 31 now, a veteran by MotoGP standards. He’s evolved from a fearless phenom into a more calculated competitor. Injuries have played a role, but this is a natural progression for any rider with a long career. We saw Rossi adapt and nearly win another title in 2015; Marc is on a similar path.”

Balancing Risk and Reward

One notable change in Marquez’s approach is his emphasis on finishing races. Despite numerous crashes during practice sessions, he managed to outperform his peers on the same machinery, proving his ability to balance risk with reward.

As Marquez moves into this new chapter with Ducati, his evolution as a rider will be tested. Whether he can fully regain his former dominance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Marquez-Ducati partnership is set to be a thrilling storyline in MotoGP’s future.

In 2025, fans may not see the exact Marquez of old, but they will witness a refined version—a racer who combines experience, resilience, and raw talent in his quest for a ninth world championship.