MARQUEZ SAYS BAGNAIA HELPED HIM ADAPT TO DUCATI
18 Oct 2026·
Marc Marquez says Francesco Bagnaia helped him settle into Ducati by showing him how to give the team more precise, organised feedback. The Spaniard also praised his teammate’s support during his move to the factory squad, despite expectations that the pair might clash.
Marquez joined Ducati’s official team from Gresini in 2025, after one season on an older-spec Desmosedici. Bagnaia, a two-time world champion, had been the team’s leading rider and was coming off 11 victories in 2024. Some observers anticipated friction because of Bagnaia’s ties to Valentino Rossi, Marquez’s long-time rival. Bagnaia, however, had said Rossi’s dispute with Marquez was not his own and that he was willing to work with the Spaniard.
The partnership soon took a different shape on track. Marquez adapted quickly to the factory bike and won the 2025 championship with five rounds remaining, while Bagnaia struggled with the GP25. Marquez’s advantage continued into 2026: he collected six wins, while Bagnaia had four podiums, with his most recent coming at Brno. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has rejected claims that the manufacturer favours Marquez or develops the bike specifically for him.
In a video shared by MotoGP, Bagnaia described Marquez as consistently positive in the garage. “On track, it is clear that he is a master,” Bagnaia said, adding that his teammate’s optimism was a valuable quality away from racing.
Marquez agreed, saying he tries to find the positive side of mistakes and problems. He also credited Bagnaia with teaching him to be more exact and structured when communicating with Ducati. “He is a very friendly teammate and also helped me to join the Ducati factory team,” Marquez said.
Their partnership is set to end in 2027. Pedro Acosta will join Marquez at Ducati, while Bagnaia is moving to Aprilia, where he will team up with fellow VR46 Academy graduate Marco Bezzecchi. The change offers Bagnaia a fresh start after two seasons in which Marquez has outperformed him at Ducati.