After many talks and rumours… it is official: having a Ducati in 2024 is in the hands of Marc Marquez. The confirmation was made today by the italian manufacturer’s top managers, with Paolo Ciabatti and Davide Tardozzi not hiding their interest in having the eight-time world champion riding a Desmosedici. What’s missing? Marquez’s decision and an agreement with Honda over his contract.
On the official MotoGP broadcast, which is currently in India for the opening round in that country, the Ducati Corse Sporting Director spoke about the spaniard and how Gresini Racing has an open door to welcome the #93: ‘As far as Gresini is concerned, I think they seem to have this opportunity and are waiting for Marquez’s decision. I can see that Marquez is very fast here with Honda’.
As for what’s left to decide, the manager said the decisions are up to Marquez… and Honda: ‘He’s going to talk to Honda management in Japan and make a decision. It’s up to him and the team. We, as Ducati, have our four riders under contract. That’s what we’ve heard. I think everyone knows that. There are no other options, it’s the only bike without a rider and Marquez says he has three options. I don’t know what they will be. One is to stay at Honda, the other two we can only guess’.
And the news from within Ducati didn’t stop there, as Davide Tardozzi, Team Manager of the factory Ducati team, once again referred the decision to the Honda rider, speaking to DAZN:
– This is a decision for Gresini and Marquez. If Marquez goes to Ducati, fine, everyone knows how much we admire Marc. But it’s his decision. Everyone likes Marc, it’s normal. He’s an eight-time world champion, a rider of the past, present and future. Everyone likes Marc.