The rider market for the 2025 MotoGP season is heating up, and many of the moves will depend on what Ducati decides to do with its factory team for next season. The Borgo Panigale manufacturer has already secured the renewal of Pecco Bagnaia until 2026, but it remains to be seen who will join him.
There are three names taken into consideration: those who already occupy that place and are third in the World Championship, therefore Enea Bastianini, the current leader of the general classification after a brilliant start to the season, Jorge Martín, whose main desire has always been to land in Red, and Marc Márquez, who has been the subject of increasingly insistent rumors of a transfer from Gresini Racing after demonstrating in these first races of the season that his level is still high and that he is already ready to fight for victories in the saddle at the Desmosedici GP.
The Borgo Panigale manufacturer has made no secret of the fact that these are the three candidates it has in mind and Gigi Dall’igna, general director of Ducati Corse, admitted after the Spanish Grand Prix that his “legs are shaking” at thought of making such a decision.
Ducati is usually quick to make decisions about its future in MotoGP and many suggest that the situation will be resolved close to the Italian GP at Mugello (weekend 31 May-2 June). First there is Montmelò and this weekend Le Mans, where Dall’Igna spoke again in view of the race. And the Venetian engineer gave a clue that could be important: the fact that the Bolognese brand will evaluate the drivers’ track records to choose the lucky one.
“It’s a really difficult decision,” Dall’Igna began on Thursday to MotoGP.com. “Honestly speaking, we are not only considering the 2024 season, but we also have to consider the entire history of our drivers.”
“I think this is important. But you know, it’s a very difficult decision, because all three riders are great champions. We’ll see!”, he concluded, explaining in a statement that the world championship itself published on its social media.
Thursday revolved around the market. The eight-time world champion has hinted that he would be willing to leave one of his main sponsors, Red Bull, if it guaranteed him a place in the official Ducati team, linked to Monster.
Pecco Bagnaia, meanwhile, denied rumors that he wouldn’t want to have the Cervera rider at his side, saying it was “bullshit”, and Jorge Martin explained that he would understand the brand’s decision to promote Marc, even if he is still in the running to be the chosen pilot, and is counting on “alternatives” if he does not achieve his goal.
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