Former MotoGP star Casey Stoner believes Ducati will play a serious function in figuring out the result of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez’s rivalry subsequent 12 months.
Marquez, essentially the most profitable rider on the present MotoGP grid, will be a 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 issues in regards to the affect 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 about to be a real check of its power.
Bagnaia has spent his whole profession on Ducati equipment and is now its most profitable rider in MotoGP historical past, making him an vital 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 keeping with Stoner, each Bagnaia and Marquez will attempt to exert this place inside Ducati subsequent 12 months, resulting in potential battle inside the crew.
This, he believes, might result in some stage of favouritism, and the Italian producer should resolve who it “desires to guard extra”.
“It’s going to rely upon how Ducati behaves. I believe Pecco is mentally sturdy sufficient to take care of the scenario, it is going to be a query of who Ducati desires to guard extra,” he instructed Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They’ll in all probability each attempt to create chaos within the workforce to make issues go in a single path or the opposite. We are going to see how Ducati will take care of the scenario and who they are going to select.
“They should be as balanced as potential or it is going to 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 12 months 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 received 10 or extra grands prix in a single season.
Stoner, who delivered Ducati its first title in 2007, praised Bagnaia for establishing himself as among the finest riders of the present technology.
“We’ve seen what he has finished in the previous few seasons, Pecco’s progress 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 finished this 12 months is spectacular.”
Ducati’s determination 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 wherever 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 riders who give their all and stand out from the 22 riders on the monitor, and one comes alongside to take your house, 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.”