Giacomo Agostini on Marc Márquez: ‘Once He Masters the Ducati, He’ll Be Ready to Win’
Marc Márquez, the Spanish sensation and eight-time world champion, has always been a rider who pushes the boundaries of MotoGP. Over the years, he has proven his ability to defy odds, recover from injury, and race with an unmatched aggressiveness that has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest riders in the sport’s history. Now, with his move to Ducati, Márquez is facing one of the biggest challenges of his career—taming the beast that is the Ducati Desmosedici GP. And according to legendary MotoGP rider Giacomo Agostini, once Márquez masters the bike, victory will once again be within his grasp.
A New Chapter for Márquez
After years of dominating the grid with Repsol Honda, where he won six premier-class titles, Marc Márquez shocked the MotoGP world by announcing his departure from the team that had been his home since his MotoGP debut in 2013. With ongoing struggles to find his form after a series of devastating injuries, and Honda’s inability to provide a consistently competitive bike, the partnership had hit a breaking point.
The switch to Ducati, known for its powerful and technically demanding bikes, was both exciting and risky. Ducati has a reputation for being a tough machine to handle, even for the most skilled riders. But for a rider like Márquez, who thrives on challenges, the opportunity to ride for Ducati was a chance to rewrite the narrative of his career.
Giacomo Agostini, a 15-time world champion and one of the most respected voices in the world of motorsport, has faith in Márquez’s ability to adapt. “Marc Márquez is a rider who never stops pushing himself,” Agostini said. “The Ducati is a different animal, but I have no doubt that once he masters it, he’ll be ready to win again.”
The Ducati Desmosedici GP: A Formidable Challenge
Ducati’s Desmosedici GP bike is renowned for its brute power, blistering straight-line speed, and advanced aerodynamics. But it’s also notorious for being difficult to handle, especially when it comes to cornering—a critical element in MotoGP. The bike’s aggressive nature has been both its strength and its Achilles’ heel over the years. Riders like Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo struggled to fully tame the machine, while others like Casey Stoner and more recently Francesco Bagnaia have managed to exploit its strengths to claim world championships.
For Márquez, who has built his career on a mix of fearless cornering and daring overtakes, mastering the Ducati will require adjusting his natural riding style. He has long been known for pushing his Honda to the limits, often riding with his elbow and knee scraping the ground, using his body as an extension of the bike. But with the Ducati, Márquez will need to refine his technique, taking advantage of the bike’s speed while learning to control its unpredictable handling.
Agostini acknowledges the challenge but remains confident in Márquez’s ability to adapt. “Every rider has their own style, and Márquez’s style is aggressive, but that’s what makes him special,” Agostini noted. “He’s faced bigger challenges before—like coming back from injury—and every time, he’s come out stronger. The Ducati is just another obstacle, and if anyone can figure it out, it’s Marc.”
The Legacy of Adaptation in MotoGP
MotoGP history is filled with examples of great riders who have struggled to switch between different manufacturers’ bikes. The list of champions who couldn’t quite make it work after switching teams is long, but there are also legends who managed to adapt and thrive after moving to a new machine. Giacomo Agostini himself made one of the most famous and successful transitions in the sport’s history when he switched from MV Agusta to Yamaha in the early 1970s.
Agostini’s ability to win championships on both bikes cemented his place as a true icon of the sport. Now, Agostini sees a similar opportunity for Márquez. “Switching bikes isn’t easy. Every machine has its own character,” Agostini said. “But if Marc can master the Ducati, it will only add to his legacy. It’s not just about winning on one bike; it’s about proving that you’re the best no matter what you’re riding.”
This sentiment is echoed by fans and experts alike, many of whom are eagerly waiting to see how Márquez will handle his new challenge. MotoGP’s current landscape is more competitive than ever, with riders like Fabio Quartararo, Pecco Bagnaia, and Joan Mir all fighting for supremacy. In such an environment, Márquez’s move to Ducati isn’t just about mastering a new bike—it’s about redefining his place in a rapidly evolving sport.
Márquez’s Road to Recovery and Redemption
One of the defining stories of Marc Márquez’s recent career has been his battle with injury. Since his crash at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, Márquez has undergone multiple surgeries and faced an uncertain road to recovery. The injury to his right arm, which initially sidelined him for most of the 2020 season, continued to plague him well into 2021 and 2022. His aggressive riding style and determination to return to the top have earned him admiration, but also concern about the long-term effects of such a serious injury.
Agostini, who has seen his fair share of riders battle injuries over the years, believes that Márquez’s resilience will play a crucial role in his success at Ducati. “Marc has been through a lot with his injury, and it would have been easy for him to give up or settle for less,” Agostini said. “But that’s not who he is. He’s a fighter, and his ability to come back from such a devastating injury shows just how strong he is, both mentally and physically.”
The transition to Ducati offers Márquez a fresh start—a chance to put the struggles of the past few years behind him and focus on what he does best: winning races. But it won’t be easy. The competition is fierce, and the Ducati is a challenging machine. However, as Agostini pointed out, “Marc has never been one to shy away from a challenge.”
The Future of MotoGP with Márquez on Ducati
As the 2024 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Márquez as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. The switch to Ducati brings with it not only the possibility of a fresh start but also the weight of expectation. Ducati is a team with a rich history in MotoGP and a growing legacy of success in recent years. With Francesco Bagnaia delivering the team’s most recent championship in 2022, the pressure is on for Márquez to add his name to the list of Ducati legends.
But for Márquez, it’s not just about meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them. His competitive spirit, coupled with his relentless drive to win, makes him a formidable force on any bike. If he can unlock the full potential of the Ducati, there’s little doubt that Márquez will once again be a regular contender for race wins and world championships.
As Agostini concluded in his remarks, “Marc Márquez is one of the greatest riders MotoGP has ever seen. Once he gets comfortable on the Ducati, I have no doubt he’ll be back at
