Marc Márquez is usually synonymous with aggression and pushing the limits of what’s (im)possible on a MotoGP bike, but for the time being that hasn’t been the style adopted by the Spaniard on his debut with the Ducati Desmosedici. The new Gresini Racing rider is still in an adaptation phase and only had one bike available at the Ricardo Tormo circuit but, he said, his riding style has yet to be defined.
At the team presentation, the former world champion will start a new phase of his career in 2024, away from Honda, and he still needs time to “get to grips” with the Italian bike:
– In Valencia we were riding very smoothly but we don’t know yet, I don’t know yet, if that will be my riding style with the Ducati. It was the first test, I rode with a set-up I didn’t know, I told the team to put the others’ set-up on and not to touch anything, just for me to adapt. It was the basis for giving me more confidence with the front. I was riding smooth because I didn’t feel comfortable to ride aggressively, to find the limit of the bike… We’ll see.
Márquez also emphasised his desire to test the bike elsewhere, not least to understand its real level: ‘I’m curious to try the bike on circuits where I normally have more difficulties, like Malaysia, Qatar, where I’ve had a lot of trouble all year. There it will be interesting to understand what my level will be’.