Marquez to Elevate Ducati’s MotoGP Competitiveness, Says Tardozzi

On Tuesday, eight-time world champion Marc Marquez is set to make his debut in MotoGP astride a Ducati bike for the first time in the post-season Valencia test.

Marquez has announced that he will ride the 2023-spec Ducati in Gresini colors next season after deciding to part ways with Honda, where he still had one season left on his contract following a troubling campaign.

His transition to Ducati has sparked discussions among fans and experts, with many speculating about how well he will adapt to his new team.

Ducati sports director Paolo Tardozzi believes that Marquez’s presence will elevate the competitiveness of the team even further in 2024.

Tardozzi expressed, “He will raise the level because tomorrow Marc will be very, very, very fast. I almost bet on him finishing in first position at the end of the test.”

He also suggested that Marquez’s commitment and drive to prove himself will propel Ducati’s performance to new heights, akin to the determination of his teammate Jorge Martín.

As for his other Ducati teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, Tardozzi feels he will play a significant role in further refining the 2024 bike model based on his inputs.

Due to contractual obligations with Honda until the end of the year, Marquez will not be available to speak to the media following Tuesday’s test.

However, during a trip to Malaysia to support his brother and 2024 teammate Alex Marquez, Marc Marquez shared some insights about his experience transitioning from Honda to Ducati.

When asked about his first impressions of the Ducati after observing his brother’s performance, he mentioned, “He was riding good, nothing special, but he was braking at the right moment, taking the right lines, and handling the bike well. On the first time attack, I tried to follow him and nearly crashed while trying to recover from Turn 3 and 4.”