Valentino Rossi won’t be able to help Francesco Bagnaia against Marc Marquez

Francesco Bagnaia faces an uphill battle against Marc Marquez in the Ducati Lenovo team as Valentino Rossi’s influence may be limited.

Valentino Rossi of Italy and Team WRT looks on during a photocall ahead of the Qatar 1812km at Losail Circuit in Doha on February 26, 2025. Photo by Jakob Ebrey/LAT Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Valentino Rossi won’t be able to provide much help to Francesco Bagnaia in his fight against Marc Marquez, according to recent claims from MotoGP experts.

Rossi, a nine-time world champion and mentor to Bagnaia, had declared his intention to be more involved in the MotoGP paddock in 2025. With his VR46 team gaining a stronger presence within Ducati’s structure, many expected his guidance to be pivotal for Bagnaia as he faces his toughest challenge yet—having Marquez as a teammate in the Ducati Lenovo squad.

However, Marquez made an immediate statement in the season-opening Thailand MotoGP, dominating both the sprint race and the grand prix. His performance sent a clear message to the grid and intensified speculation about how Bagnaia would respond. If Marquez clinches the title this year, he will equal Rossi’s tally of nine world championships, adding another layer to the historic rivalry between them.

Bagnaia’s challenge against Marquez

MotoGP analyst Sylvain Guintoli expressed skepticism about how much Rossi can aid Bagnaia in this battle.

“I don’t know how much Vale can help Pecco,” Guintoli told TNT Sports. “Pecco knows what he has to do, he knows his potential.”

Despite his back-to-back world championships, Bagnaia is now under immense pressure to prove himself against Marquez, who last year was competing on an older bike in a satellite team yet still managed to challenge him.

“If I was him, I’d be worried,” Guintoli continued. “Marc last year, on an inferior bike, was already fighting with him. The last lap at Jerez? Marc was doing it on a year-old bike in a private team.”

With Marquez now having full factory support at Ducati Lenovo, Guintoli believes Bagnaia’s title defense will be significantly tougher.

“As a rider, it’s a bad situation! You don’t want Marquez as your teammate! It will be tough. But Pecco, there is something there that we haven’t seen yet. If it’s going to come out, it will come this year.”

Ducati’s internal battle

Bagnaia has established himself as a two-time MotoGP champion, bringing Ducati its first title since Casey Stoner in 2007 and becoming the first Italian champion since Rossi. But with Marquez now sharing the same equipment and data, Ducati’s garage is expected to be a battleground throughout the season.

Guintoli believes this shift will be a defining moment for Bagnaia’s career.

“It will be a different story for him going head-to-head with Marquez,” he said. “Pecco knows how talented and naturally fast Marc is, and how mentally strong he is.

“He’s the best rider at the moment—look at his results. He’s a rider you don’t want as a teammate! As a rider, you don’t want somebody strong on the same bike with access to the same information.

“It will be a difficult year for Pecco, but we know he thrives under maximum pressure.”

Can Bagnaia rise to the occasion?

Before the Thailand GP, former world champion Neil Hodgson dismissed the idea that Marquez would automatically dominate Bagnaia, emphasizing the reigning champion’s ability to adapt and improve.

“It’s not a foregone conclusion that Marc will obliterate Bagnaia, who is a two-time champion,” Hodgson said. “Bagnaia has not peaked; he’s still learning and growing as a rider.

“We’ve got a treat ahead, we will see some great races. Early on, they will be trying to command who is No. 1. Some riders will let the brakes off.”

Hodgson also refuted the notion that Bagnaia might be intimidated by Marquez, insisting that the Italian would fight back aggressively.

“Not at all. If Pecco allows Marc to be Marc—to rough him up on track—he will continue to do that. Pecco is super bright, and he knows that, so he won’t give Marc a millimeter on track.

“He has to be ‘perfect Pecco’—qualify on pole, get the lead, be perfect.

“We’ve seen him do that, he’s had lots of perfect weekends. It’s the only way to fend off Marquez.”

A season-defining battle

As MotoGP 2025 progresses, the battle between Bagnaia and Marquez is expected to be one of the most compelling narratives of the season. With Rossi’s influence potentially limited, Bagnaia will have to rely on his own experience, skill, and mental strength to take on the most formidable rival of his career.

The next few races will reveal whether Bagnaia can withstand the challenge or if Marquez will continue his dominant form.