The scheduled date for Marc Marquez’s debut on a Ducati appears to have been set.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has been granted permission by Honda to ride Gresini Ducati bike at the postseason Valencia test on November 28.
All appeared to be in place for Marc Marquez to hold a spectacular news conference in Mandalika to announce his switch to Gresini Ducati. A special press conference was on the schedule during the MotoGP weekend in Indonesia, but Dorna allegedly opposed the idea of holding one.
The three press conferences that had been scheduled will now be limited to two which is the standard. Pecco Bagnaia, who is leading the World Championship, and Jorge Martn, who is in second place overall, will battle it out in the race alongside Marc Márquez, who replaces Marco Bezzecchi.
It appears that Honda requested the cancellation of the eight-time champion’s personal press conference, at least until the conclusion of the six remaining MotoGP events.
Nevertheless, Honda is giving him the opportunity to ride the Desmosedici just two days after the MotoGP World Championship comes to a close, during the last Irta test in Valencia.
The six-time MotoGP champion will ride a Desmosedici for the first time two days after Valencia hosts the season-ending MotoGP event. Marquez will require this test for preparation before fully integrating with Ducati for the 2024 season.
The postseason Valencia test is a popular location for riders who have already committed to joining a new team for the following year to test their new bike.
Valentino Rossi, though, was a notable exception after he was denied access to a Yamaha until the first day of the following calendar year by Honda, depriving him of his first significant opportunity to test a new bike.
History won’t repeat itself at the Valencia test this time, after an equally profound change.
Márquez will be present along with one of his reliable mechanics; however, Santi Hernández who is his team manager, won’t be present.
Ducati opted not to allow this because they were concerned Marc would only stay with them for a year and may then go for another manufacturer with very critical information which is even more crucial in the clutches of a technician than a rider.
