Once their future has been decided, the MotoGP title contenders take off their mask this weekend at the Dutch GP. Everyone races for Ducati, but Marc Márquez’s game of thrones has meant that only he and Pecco Bagnaia, defender of the crown, remain within the family of the factory that sets the pace in the premier category. Jorge Martín and Enea Bastianini, the other two who are making championship speculations, are now threatening to take number one from Aprilia and KTM after deciding to change their mood out of spite.
The betrayal of the Bologna authorities, who wanted to keep them all until the eight-time world champion threatened to stand them up unexpectedly, gives them incentives to prove to those who are still their bosses that they are wrong… or right. “The plan is finished,” says Márquez, who confirms himself as the fox in the henhouse in Borgo Panigale. “Since last year, I had a very clear idea of what my plan was, and it has worked out perfectly,” he adds. He wanted the best bike and the best team, just what he will have after convincing Gigi Dall’Igna and the rest of the brand’s managers with his riding, beyond the obvious benefits in terms of marketing.
The 93 believes that his definitive coup in Mugello could have been achieved thanks to his merits on the track: “It is where the most power is acquired, and I have achieved what I was looking for. I wasn’t interested in the others. Of course, poor thing, Jorge Martín deserved it, but in sport you have to be selfish.” The Catalan is well aware that Ducati has rejected a “great rider” like Martín and has said goodbye to two other good assets by betting on him, but he feels “calm” to now face the next challenges on the track. For now, he leaves the title for 2025 and says he is focusing on achieving more podiums and finally finding that first victory in more than two and a half years.
“It hurts, it’s frustrating, but it didn’t surprise me after so many years of trying,” says Jorge Martín, resigned and now more convinced of his move to Aprilia, where he will finally have the unequivocal status of project leader. “My goal was to be an official driver and have a team focused on me, and I finally fulfilled that dream. I saw that I was going to be happier somewhere else, and I’m going to a place where they really want me,” he adds. The Madrid native from Pramac, runner-up in 2023 and leader of the competition in 2024, feels relief at finally being able to focus on giving gas and nothing else. From the top of Ducati they have assured him that there will be no difference in treatment and he will be able to fight on equal terms until the last day, although they also made him understand not long ago that the red seat was his.
Bagnaia, the reigning two-time champion in the category, is focused on himself and faces the new challenge with composure. “This world is not fair and Jorge deserved it very much, but if they have decided this it will be because they think it is the most appropriate thing to do,” he says, completely distancing himself from the decision. After welcoming Márquez with a handshake and a knowing smile, he turns his attention back to his title defence. He also believes that Martín now has an extra boost in the tight battle.
The legendary Assen track will attend the resumption of the competition this weekend with the disgruntled leader starting with 18 points ahead of Bagnaia and 35 over Márquez. Bastianini, fourth in the table, is 57 points behind the leader, although he also has a free mind and desire to demonstrate why he has occupied the most coveted seat on the grid for the last two years. In addition to losing two of the fastest riders in the competition, the Bolognese see how Marco Bezzecchi, another of his outstanding students and third place in the 2023 World Championship, also chooses to change sides to reinforce Aprilia, the neighboring factory. . Who will continue in the Ducati family is Álex Márquez, about to renew another year with Gresini.
You can follow EL PAÍS Sports on Facebook and xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
