Marc Márquez, the six-time MotoGP World Champion, chose not to focus on Ducati’s 2025 developments. The test, which was heavily anticipated as a platform for evaluating future bike innovations, saw Márquez primarily sticking to his current machine, the Repsol Honda RC213V.
Ducati had made a significant push to showcase their 2025 prototypes, aiming to gain valuable feedback from top riders. The Italian manufacturer hoped to use the Misano session to fine-tune their upcoming models, leveraging insights from elite competitors like Márquez. However, the Spaniard’s decision to refrain from testing Ducati’s new machinery has raised eyebrows within the paddock.
Márquez’s choice reflects his ongoing commitment to Honda and the technical challenges he continues to face with his current bike. Despite Ducati’s advancements and their reputation for producing competitive machinery, Márquez’s loyalty to Honda appears unwavering. The rider’s focus during the Misano test was on optimizing his current setup and exploring further developments with his existing team.
Honda’s management remains supportive, emphasizing that the team’s immediate goal is to address current performance issues rather than shift focus to rival technology. Márquez’s decision aligns with Honda’s strategy to concentrate on improving their existing bike rather than investing time in testing competitors’ future offerings.
The move has sparked speculation about Márquez’s long-term plans and his stance on potential future collaborations. Ducati’s absence of feedback from such a high-profile rider could also influence their development strategy as they prepare for the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the MotoGP community is keenly watching how these dynamics will unfold and impact the competitive landscape in the coming years.
