When Did Marc Marquez Join Ducati – Here’s When
Marc Márquez joined Ducati for the 2025 MotoGP season after leaving Gresini Racing.
He signed a two-year factory deal through the end of 2026.
You’ll see him in the Ducati Lenovo Team alongside Francesco Bagnaia.
That gives Ducati two proven champions in the same garage.
He made his first factory appearance at the Barcelona test in June 2024.
There, he rode the GP24 and GP25 and showed strong pace.
There’s more to the story behind the move.
Marc Márquez Joined Ducati for 2025
Marc Márquez signed with the factory Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2025 MotoGP season.
Marc Márquez signed with the factory Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2025 MotoGP season.
He agreed to a two-year deal running through the end of 2026.
You can trace the move back to mid-2024 reports that confirmed he’d leave Gresini Racing for Ducati in 2025.
Ducati management said the signing adds an eight-time world champion to the factory lineup alongside Francesco Bagnaia.
Márquez also got his first official taste of the team at the Barcelona test on June 3, 2024.
He completed 49 laps, finished fourth, and set a best time of 1m39.454s.
During the session, you saw him ride both the GP24 and GP25 prototypes.
He used the GP24 for reference while focusing most of his runs on the 2025 bike.
How the Ducati Move Came Together
Ducati stitched the move together over several months, ultimately securing Marc Márquez on a two-year factory deal for 2025 through the end of 2026.
After he left Honda and rode for Gresini Racing in 2024, Ducati Corse moved carefully. Then it locked in the deal with the factory Ducati team.
On June 3, 2024, you saw the plan take shape at the Barcelona test. He logged 49 laps on the GP24 and the prototype GP25 bikes.
- Ducati management, led by Luigi Dall’Igna and Davide Tardozzi, finalized the signing.
- They framed Marc Márquez as a proven addition.
- He said the deal felt like finishing a risky bet, and he liked the immediate factory feel.
Why Ducati Chose Márquez
You can see why Ducati backed Marc Márquez. The factory signed him to a two-year deal starting in 2025, and Luigi Dall’Igna clearly saw him as an “unquestionable talent” who adapts quickly.
Ducati also liked the fact that he can switch between the GP24 and GP25 prototypes with ease, plus his championship experience—which matches their long-term development plan.
And with Francesco Bagnaia alongside him, Ducati now has two title-winning riders pushing performance through 2026.
Ducati’s Bet On Márquez
Ducati’s decision to sign Marc Márquez for 2025-26 came down to one thing: they saw an “unquestionable talent” who could speed up development.
You can see why Ducati trusted the eight-time World Champion. He learns fast, adapts quickly, and gives clear feedback.
That mattered in testing. He completed 49 laps on the GP25 prototype at Barcelona and logged a best of 1m39.454s.
- Marc Márquez brought proven pace.
- Ducati gained a rider with rapid learning ability.
- The signing strengthened development with experience.
Factory Team Rationale
At Ducati, the case for Marc Márquez was built on more than star power. The factory signed him to a two-year Lenovo Team deal starting in 2025. They believed his unquestionable talent, fast adaptation to the Desmosedici GP, and eight-time World Championship pedigree could speed up development.
You can see Ducati valuing his proven race-winning pedigree. It also values the technical feedback he can deliver on the GP25 project. By pairing Marc Márquez with Francesco Bagnaia, the Ducati Lenovo Team creates a factory lineup with 11 World Titles.
That depth matters if you track development. Luigi Dall’Igna and team leaders wanted experience, maturity, and speed in one package. So they chose a rider who can help Ducati grow through the 2025–2026 cycle.
What the Barcelona Test Showed
The Barcelona official test offered the first real glimpse of Marc Marquez in Ducati red. He logged 49 laps over a seven-hour session on his first day with the factory team.
You saw Marquez use the Barcelona test to build early rhythm on Ducati machinery. About 90% of his runs came on the GP25, with a few laps on the GP24 for comparison.
He ended fourth on the timesheets with a best lap of 1m39.454s. That gave you a clear benchmark for his pace.
- 49 laps in seven hours
- Best time: 1m39.454s
- Fourth overall, with GP25 focus
He said he felt calm and comfortable from the start. You could also see why Ducati views this session as key for 2025 development.
What Márquez Thought of the GP25
You can already see that Márquez’s first impressions of the GP25 were positive. After he completed 49 laps at the Barcelona test and spent most of the day on the 2025 bike, he said he felt calm and comfortable right away. He also praised Ducati’s factory squad, calling them the strongest team in MotoGP right now.
At the same time, he noted that the GP25 needs more setup time than the GP24. Because of that, he’s holding off on a final verdict until he can compare the two bikes more fully.
GP25 First Impressions
On his first day with Ducati’s factory team at the Barcelona official test, Márquez logged 49 laps, with roughly 90% of his starts on the GP25 prototype. You can see how the MotoGP rider immediately focused on the new bike while comparing it with the GP24.
His best lap, 1m39.454s, put him fourth, and he split runs between both machines.
- He felt very comfortable on the GP25 from the start.
- He said the setup needed extra time, but the bike showed clear 2023-to-2025 progress.
- He used the GP24 as a reference, much like Jorge Martin’s benchmark role within the Ducati team in MotoGP.
He hasn’t ruled out the GP25 becoming stronger after more testing, though he’s still measuring the gap carefully.
Factory Team Calm
Márquez’s first day with Ducati’s factory team at the Barcelona official test gave him more than a quick look at the GP25. It also showed how settled he felt in the new environment.
He completed 49 laps in seven hours, clocked a best 1m39.454s, and finished fourth. He spent most of his starts on the 2025 bike, but he still used the GP24 as a reference.
He said he felt very comfortable and very calm from the beginning. He also called Ducati’s factory the best team in present-day MotoGP.
Under Davide Tardozzi, the run plan looked stricter and more detailed. The team expected exact feedback, and you could tell they value precision in MotoGP next.
GP24 vs GP25
At the Barcelona official test, Márquez split his focus between Ducati’s GP24 and the new GP25.
About 90% of his starts came on the 2025 bike.
You can see he spent 49 laps across a seven-hour session.
Then he compared the two bikes as he worked through the factory setup.
He said he felt calm and comfortable right away.
But he didn’t judge the final gap yet.
- GP25 was his main reference.
- GP24 served as a proven backup and benchmark.
- The new bike needed more setup time, but it looked like a clear step forward from the 2023 and 2024 machines.
He finished fourth with a best lap of 1m39.454s.
And it was clear Ducati still had more pace to unlock.
GP24 vs GP25: What Changed?
Compared with the GP24, the GP25 prototype marked a clear development step. Marquez said it felt like a jump in experience between the 2024 and 2025 bikes.
You can see the difference in the test plan:
| Item | GP24 | GP25 |
|---|---|---|
| Laps used | Reference bike | Main focus |
| Setup needs | Known baseline | More time required |
| Feedback role | Comparison point | Prototype evaluation |
At Barcelona, he spent about 90% of his starts on the GP25. Then he used the GP24 for reference and backup laps.
He completed 49 laps, set a best of 1m39.454s, and placed fourth on the timesheets. Ducati followed a strict run plan to prepare the prototype and gather precise feedback.
Marquez said the GP25 may be more competitive, but he isn’t ready to judge the full gap yet.
How Márquez Fits Into Ducati’s Factory Team
Marc Márquez now fits into Ducati’s factory team as a full works rider, having signed a two-year deal with the Ducati Lenovo Team running from the 2025 MotoGP season through the end of 2026. You’ll see him in the factory box beside Francesco Bagnaia, forming a lineup with 11 combined world titles. Ducati chose him after weighing a strong candidate pool.
Ducati also valued his talent and fast adaptation to the Desmosedici. He moved from Gresini Racing into the works structure. He works within a stricter run plan and a larger engineering group.
Márquez collaborates closely with Davide Tardozzi. Ducati sees him as a rider who can help push development forward.
What the Two-Year Ducati Deal Means
His two-year factory Ducati deal covers the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.
That gives both sides stability and a clear development window.
You get a rider moving from Gresini Racing into the Ducati Lenovo Team.
He’ll line up alongside Francesco Bagnaia.
Ducati says the move secures an “unquestionable talent.”
It also supports team development through 2026.
The contract gives you a factory box with continuity.
Two multiple-world champions will share the garage across both seasons.
| Point | Meaning | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 | Two-year term | Stability |
| Factory seat | Ducati Lenovo Team | Full support |
| Roster changes | Bastianini, Martin out | Space opened |
Ducati thanked Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin for enabling the change.
It shaped the lineup reset.
What Ducati’s 2025 Title Bid Looks Like
With Marc Marquez now alongside Francesco Bagnaia in the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, Ducati’s 2025 title bid centers on pairing two multi-world champions in one garage.
Ducati’s 2025 title push now hinges on pairing two multi-world champions in one garage.
It’s about using that depth to push the bike forward, with emphasis on experience, speed, and fast feedback.
At the Barcelona test, Marquez completed 49 laps in seven hours.
He logged a 1:39.454 best time and finished fourth.
The team split work between the GP24 and the GP25.
Most of Marquez’s runs were on the 2025 bike.
- Two champions drive development.
- The GP25 gets early race focus.
- Ongoing testing shapes the title push.
Luigi Dall’Igna believes this lineup can sharpen Ducati’s advantage through 2026.
Marquez’s feedback also suggests the GP25 may be stronger than the GP24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Number Will Márquez Race With at Ducati?
You’ll see Marc Márquez race with number 93 at Ducati.
He’s keeping his long-time MM93 identity for the 2025 MotoGP season and beyond.
So you can expect that number on his Desmosedici GP.
Ducati and Márquez’s own team have already confirmed the choice.
Fan posts keep using #93 as well.
That means he’ll line up alongside Francesco Bagnaia in the factory Ducati garage without changing his race number.
Which Sponsor Backed Márquez’s Ducati Signing?
Lenovo backed Márquez’s Ducati signing. You can see its support in the factory Ducati Lenovo Team branding, which covered his 2025–2026 seat with Ducati Corse.
Ducati management announced the move as a factory decision, and official team messaging repeatedly used Lenovo’s name and imagery.
Where Did Márquez First Test the Ducati Bike?
You’d point to Barcelona, where Márquez first tested the Ducati bike during the official factory test.
He spent seven hours at the circuit, completed 49 laps, and logged a best time of 1m39.454s.
He split his running between the GP24 and the GP25 prototype, with most of his laps on the 2025 bike.
Márquez said he felt comfortable and calm right away.
Who Replaced Márquez at Honda After His Departure?
You’d see a lantern handed to Pol Espargaró. He replaced Marc Márquez at Honda after Márquez’s 2023 exit.
Honda promoted Espargaró into the factory Repsol Honda Team for 2024. He was paired with Joan Mir.
Espargaró already knew Honda well from his earlier factory satellite and test roles. So Honda trusted him to fill the gap left by Márquez while it reshaped its lineup for the new season.
Did Márquez Use the Same Crew Chief at Ducati?
No, you won’t see Márquez using the same crew chief at Ducati.
When he moved into the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, Ducati put him under its own Corse structure, with Davide Tardozzi and factory engineers guiding the work.
He kept relationships with some familiar engineers, but he didn’t bring over his Gresini crew chief as his main technical contact.
Ducati runs his bike decisions through its factory team setup.
Conclusion
So, if you’re wondering when Marc Márquez joined Ducati, the answer is 2025. It marked a major shift in MotoGP.
You can see why the move mattered. Ducati gained a proven winner, while Márquez got a bike built for title contention.
Like a key sliding into a lock, the partnership fits both sides’ goals. Now, all eyes are on how quickly he can turn that promise into another championship run.
