Former MotoGP star Casey Stoner believes Ducati will play a serious position in figuring out the result of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez’s rivalry subsequent yr.
Marquez, probably the most profitable rider on the present MotoGP grid, will be part of two-time champion Bagnaia at Ducati’s manufacturing unit squad after Sunday’s Barcelona season finale, creating an all-star line-up.
There are considerations in regards to the influence Marquez’s signing can have on the concord inside Ducati, and the way the Italian producer manages having two alpha personalities in the identical storage is ready to be a real take a look at of its power.
Bagnaia has spent his total profession on Ducati equipment and is now its most profitable rider in MotoGP historical past, making him an essential asset to the workforce. However Ducati additionally went to nice lengths to safe Marquez’s signature for 2025, displaying how a lot he’s valued by its bosses.
In line with Stoner, each Bagnaia and Marquez will attempt to exert this place inside Ducati subsequent yr, resulting in potential battle throughout the crew.
This, he believes, might result in some stage of favouritism, and the Italian producer should determine who it “needs to guard extra”.
“It should depend upon how Ducati behaves. I believe Pecco is mentally robust sufficient to take care of the state of affairs, it will likely be a query of who Ducati needs to guard extra,” he informed Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They are going to in all probability each attempt to create chaos within the workforce to make issues go in a single course or the opposite. We’ll see how Ducati will take care of the state of affairs and who they’ll select.
“They should be as balanced as potential or it will likely be an issue.”
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Though Bagnaia is on the verge of dropping the 2024 MotoGP title to Pramac’s Jorge Martin, who holds a 24-point lead going into the ultimate spherical of the season, the Italian’s final tempo this yr has been nothing in need of distinctive.
His victory within the Malaysian GP a fortnight in the past was his tenth triumph of 2024, placing him in an unique membership of riders together with Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi, Marquez and Stoner to have gained 10 or extra grands prix in a single season.
Stoner, who delivered Ducati its first title in 2007, praised Bagnaia for establishing himself as probably the greatest riders of the present era.
“We have now seen what he has accomplished in the previous few seasons, Pecco’s development is fixed,” he stated.
“Ducati’s outcomes are at all times higher, however in comparison with others, he’s the one who wins greater than anybody else.
“He can’t be underestimated, these are actual victories, not sprints. What he has accomplished this yr is spectacular.”
Ducati’s resolution to signal Marquez for the manufacturing unit workforce got here at the price of its unique choice Martin, who has since determined to depart the producer in favour of a transfer to Aprilia.
Public opinion has been cut up on the matter, with some criticising Ducati for not rewarding Martin after what he has achieved with Pramac, and others admitting that Marquez wields an excessive amount of star energy for the Italian marque to look anyplace else.
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Requested for his views on what was the most important rider market information of 2024: Stoner stated: “In some ways, I perceive the choice, however that does not imply it is proper.
“When you’ve gotten riders who give their all and stand out from the 22 riders on the monitor, and one comes alongside to take your home, I do not suppose it is proper.
“I believe Marc might have had a manufacturing unit bike with one other workforce, I do not suppose it is proper that they selected him over Martin.”