Ducati has announced Marc Marquez has been chosen to partner Francesco Bagnaia at the works team on a multi-term deal starting from the 2025 MotoGP season.
The Italian marque was deciding whether to retain Enea Bastianini or replace him with either satellite Pramac rider Jorge Martin or Gresini’s Marc Marquez next term.
But while reports emerged last weekend that it favoured promoting Martin, Ducati reversed its decision once Marquez insisted that Pramac was not an option for him.
Instead, Martin has signed an agreement with Aprilia to depart the Ducati stable at the end of this term, while Marquez will trade Gresini for the factory squad in 2025.
The Spaniard’s last championship success was in 2019 and after a few years stricken by injuries and poor performances on a declining Honda, he moved to Gresini in an attempt to rejuvenate his career.
Marquez is one championship win away from equalling Valentino Rossi, Mike Hailwood and Carlo Ubbiali, who are all nine-time champions.
“I am very happy to be able to wear the red colours of the factory Ducati team in MotoGP next season,” Marquez said.
“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.”
Marquez, an eight-time World Champion, will come in alongside the reigning double title winner Bagnaia to assemble a blockbuster line-up at the best side on the grid.
Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati, added: “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.”
