Marc Marquez has signed with Gresini Ducati satellite team for the 2024 MotoGP season, putting an end to any rumors regarding his future plans.
Six-time world champion Marc Marquez has accepted the offer to ride for the Gresini Ducati Racing squad and will be operating a Desmosedici for the upcoming MotoGP season. The Spaniard will feature in the upcoming season on the same team as his brother, Alex Marquez.
Only a few days had passed since he announced his intention to leave Honda, bringing to an end an 11-year partnership in which they had won six World Championships. Marquez and Honda also shared 59 victories, 101 podium finishes, 64 pole positions, and five Triple Crowns.
It was announced last week that Marquez would leave his longtime employer Honda at the end of the current racing season. It was widely believed that Marquez had agreed to an early termination of his four-year Honda contract in order to join Gresini.
The absence of an immediate follow-up announcement from Gresini, however, led to rumors that a surprise announcement or a new team was behind the situation. However, it was eventually revealed that Marquez would join his brother Alex on the 2024 Gresini lineup on Thursday at Mandalika.
“I’m excited about this new challenge. It wasn’t an easy decision because it’s a big change in every way,” Marc Marquez said. “But sometimes in life, it’s important to get out of your comfort zone and put yourself through the paces in order to keep growing.
“Bike-chance-wise, I know I will have to adapt my riding style to a few things, and it won’t be easy. But I’m also sure that the whole Team Gresini will help me a lot.
“I can’t wait to get to know the team and start working with them. I’d like to thank Nadia, Carlo and Michele for the trust and respect they showed me.”
Padovani, the late team founder Fausto Gresini’s widow, noted that this was a momentous event for the organization. She also thanked the departing rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, for his professionalism and wished him well in his future endeavors.
“This is a historical moment for the Gresini Family,” Gresini team owner Nadia Padovani said. “The fact that Marc Marquez chose to race with us in the upcoming season is absolutely fantastic and I’m extremely happy to be able to make it official.
“In less than a season we got really close to his brother, and we’ll welcome Marc the same way, as we’re sure he has all the potential to be competitive on the GP23 from the get-go.
“Last but not least, I would like to thank Fabio Di Giannantonio for his professionalism, and we wish him all the best for the continuation of his career.”
Following his victory in the Moto2 Championship in 2012, Marquez joined the MotoGP in 2013 with Repsol Honda. Later, in 2013, he became the youngest premier class winner by winning his first race while riding the Honda RC213V. Later that year, he would break the world record for being the youngest MotoGP champion.
After months of rumors and speculation, the most significant move in recent MotoGP campaigns has now been made official. Marquez will get to test the Ducati for the first time the day after the Grand Prix, on Tuesday.
