Marc Marquez on Bagnaia: "It pains me to see him like this"

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia will host the final round of the 2025 MotoGP season. World champion Marc Marquez will not be on track after the injury sustained at Mandalika. The nine-time world champion will also miss the official test on November 18 and will not ride his Ducati Desmosedici until next year. Pecco Bagnaia is currently 4th in the standings, 35 points behind Marco Bezzecchi and with only a 3-point lead over Pedro Acosta.

The Piedmontese rider of the Lenovo Ducati team has had a disappointing World Championship, with two wins, six podiums, and six retirements in Sunday races. Bagnaia arrives at the final round in Cheste after a streak of four consecutive retirements, the result of a poor feeling with the GP25. In a press conference held by his sponsor Estrella Galicia, Marc Marquez spoke about his garage mate’s difficult situation.

While the Cervera phenomenon dominated the championship after joining the factory team and securing the title well in advance, Pecco is facing one of the most bitter moments of his career. "It pains me to see him in this state. Pecco has had a really up-and-down experience this year. I don't think he can even explain it himself. The best thing that could happen to him is for winter to arrive so he can start again from zero," said the new MotoGP champion.

"He hasn’t forgotten how to ride a bike. We saw that at Motegi," Marc continued, recalling Bagnaia’s double victory and expressing hope, for the good of the team, that solutions can be found. "It would be better for the Ducati project." The GP25 package has proven complicated for both Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio, especially with the front end of the prototype. "I think we can make a small step forward with front-end confidence, without neglecting the rear. Everything is a compromise," emphasized Marc Marquez. "The GP24 was the best package, but with the innovations of the GP25."

Although the nine-time world champion has also felt the shortcomings of the current bike, he has managed to ride the Ducati more consistently than his teammate. Furthermore, the psychological aspect has weighed heavily on Pecco, as he finds himself in direct comparison with one of the strongest riders in MotoGP history. In 2026 they will try to turn the page; over the winter break, the engineers from Emilia will have plenty of work to do in preparing the Desmosedici GP26.