Gigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati, expressed the complexity of deciding who will ride the Ducati factory bike in 2025, amidst speculation involving Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and Enea Bastianini. This critical decision comes at a time when Ducati is evaluating the best candidate to join Francesco Bagnaia.
Main statements from Gigi Dall’Igna:
On the choice of rider: “For Ducati, if they don’t choose Martin, justifying that decision is, for me, very difficult. I understand the appeal of Marquez. But in terms of age and what he is doing now, Martin is the right man.”
On Martin’s performance: “He is there every weekend, winning almost every weekend. It’s hard to match him, especially if Bagnaia has problems in the Sprint and Marc has problems in qualifying.”
Detailed analysis:
Jorge Martin’s current form: Jorge Martin leads the MotoGP championship heading to Mugello, showing consistent performance and competitiveness. His potential to secure the title this year reinforces his candidacy for the factory seat.
The appeal of Marc Marquez: Despite Martin’s current form, Marquez’s experience and marketability present a compelling argument for his selection. Marquez’s adaptability and performance in various conditions add significant value to any team.
The Ducati dilemma: The decision involves not only performance metrics, but also strategic considerations such as age, future potential, and overall team dynamics. Dall’Igna’s recognition of the challenge highlights the weight of this decision for Ducati’s future success.
Ducati faces a tough decision between promoting Jorge Martin or integrating Marc Marquez into the factory team. The outcome will significantly influence the competitive landscape of MotoGP, with both riders presenting strong arguments for their inclusion.