Ducati’s star lineup expected to ignite fierce title battle

Agostini expects a fierce title battle between Ducati teammates Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez.

First-place qualifier Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team (L) speaks with third-place qualifier Francesco Bagnaia of Italy and Ducati Lenovo Team after the qualifying session of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at the Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 1, 2025. Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP season is set to be one of the most anticipated in recent history, with Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez forming a formidable pairing in the factory team. As two of the strongest riders on the grid, both are expected to contend for the championship, making their partnership a major talking point throughout the season.

While some might expect mutual respect between two elite competitors, former MotoGP legend Giacomo Agostini believes the reality will be far more intense. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian racing icon shared his views on the upcoming Ducati MotoGP rivalry, emphasizing the contrasting approaches of Bagnaia and Márquez and predicting an inevitable battle for supremacy.

Agostini: Márquez and Bagnaia will be rivals, not friends

Agostini pointed out that while both riders are immensely talented, their mindsets and approaches differ significantly. This, he believes, will fuel an intense rivalry rather than a harmonious partnership.

“One is more methodical and integrated into the team [Bagnaia]; the other is more aggressive [Márquez],” Agostini explained. “Márquez, in his first weekend with the factory Ducati, was already willing to do what he came for: win. They will be jealous of each other. I expect a head-to-head battle. Marc is definitely hungrier than Bagnaia, and this could make the difference. They will never be friends.”

Márquez’s arrival at Ducati is one of the most significant moves in recent MotoGP history. The six-time premier class champion left Honda after more than a decade to join the dominant force in the series, seeking a return to title-winning form. However, Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP champion with Ducati, will not surrender his status as the team’s top rider without a fight.

Ducati must manage internal competition carefully

Agostini also highlighted the challenges Ducati faces in managing two elite riders within the same team. He stressed the importance of providing equal treatment to both Bagnaia and Márquez to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

“They must give the same material to both, and they must be smart enough to stay on the right path,” Agostini said. “You can put a [Davide] Tardozzi or an Agostini on the pit wall, but if a rider is fighting, all they think about is getting past their rival, making the overtake, and pulling away by five meters.”

Ducati’s dominance in MotoGP has been built on a combination of technological innovation and strategic rider management. With both Bagnaia and Márquez expected to push each other to the limit, the team must ensure internal battles do not lead to costly mistakes on the track.

Márquez’s hunger vs. Bagnaia’s consistency

One of the key aspects of this Ducati MotoGP rivalry will be the different racing styles and mentalities of its two riders. Bagnaia, known for his precision and methodical racecraft, has developed a strong rapport with Ducati’s engineers over the years. Márquez, on the other hand, is renowned for his aggressive and fearless riding style, often taking risks that few others would dare attempt.

While Bagnaia’s consistency has been the foundation of his recent title successes, Márquez’s hunger for victory, as Agostini pointed out, could be the deciding factor in their battle. After several injury-plagued seasons at Honda, the Spaniard now has the machinery capable of fighting for wins every weekend, making him a serious threat to his new teammate.

What this rivalry means for the 2025 MotoGP season

With Ducati entering the season as the team to beat, all eyes will be on how Bagnaia and Márquez handle the pressure of fighting for the same title within the same garage. Unlike past seasons, where Márquez faced challenges due to an uncompetitive Honda, he now has the same elite equipment as the reigning champion.

If both riders maintain their level throughout the season, Ducati could dominate the championship. However, if their rivalry becomes too intense, it could open the door for challengers like Jorge Martín, Enea Bastianini, or KTM’s Brad Binder to capitalize on any missteps.

As the MotoGP season progresses, the battle between Bagnaia and Márquez will likely be one of the defining storylines. Whether it leads to Ducati’s continued dominance or internal chaos remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is a rivalry that will shape the 2025 MotoGP championship.