MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has spoken out against Ducati’s decision to sign Marc Marquez for the 2025 season.
Rossi recently ignited a firestorm of controversy with his comments regarding Ducati’s decision to sign Marc Marquez for the 2025 season as he suggested the move left several of its riders feeling ‘betrayed’ and undermines the team’s established development program.
The Bologna-based outfit picked the Gresini rider to replace Enea Bastianini at the factory squad next season, with both riders in a three-way battle for the seat with Pramac’s Jorge Martin.
Martin had confirmed his stance that if the manufacturer denied him the factory seat he would join rival manufacturer Aprilia which later turned out to be true. Meanwhile, Bastianini signed to ride for Tech3 GasGas KTM while VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi quit the Ducati stable to team up with Martin at Aprilia.
Pramac also called it quits on its long-standing partnership with Ducati, and the satellite team proceeded to sign a long-term deal with Yamaha from 2025.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Rossi expressed his disbelief regarding Ducati’s choice to bring Marc Marquez into their factory team. The seven-time world champion believes that the next works rider should have been a rider within its existing talent pool, rather than bringing in the Spaniard.
“I didn’t quite understand it,” Rossi said. “Ducati had an interesting system in place, with a pyramid that allowed young riders to progress.
“So Pecco was brought on board, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were also waiting for him. And suddenly Ducati decided to bring Marc in.
“It’s normal that [the riders] feel betrayed. From one moment to the next they no longer count, so I’m not surprised that they consider the choice of Marquez to be a joke.
“The consequence of that is the breaking of the alliance with Pramac.”
However, Rossi, who has had a complicated relationship with Marquez over the years, believes that Bagnaia will be up for the task against the 31-year old when they team up at the factory outfit.
“Pecco is ready,” he said. “He is making a difference and has managed to raise the bar.
“He’s a two-time world champion and he’s fighting for a third title, but in my opinion he didn’t need Marc in the box to prove he’s number one.”
Despite the turmoil surrounding the signing, Rossi and Ducati continue to have a close relationship; as part of their new agreement, VR46 will receive full factory backing and one GP25 bike for 2025 MotoGP.
