Seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez stated testing a Ducati for the primary time in 2023 was the “most nervous” of his profession.
The 33-year-old spent most of his MotoGP profession with Honda, making his debut for Honda in 2013 and profitable six world titles with the RC213V.
Nonetheless, following a severe arm harm in 2020, Honda’s type deteriorated and Marc Márquez appeared elsewhere on the grid, signing a deal to hitch Gresini for his first yr on the Ducati for the 2024 season.
Marquez made his bike debut on the post-season Valencia take a look at on the finish of 2023, which he says was the “most nervous” second of the race. think about Podcast.
“The second I used to be most nervous was once I examined the Ducati in Valencia, relatively due to the stress,” he stated.
“Folks already know who Marc Marquez is. Greater than the nerves, I felt extra stress as a result of I did not know if I may go quick on that bike.”
“I saved asking if I may journey a Ducati, however the engineers stated I used to be silly.”
Marquez ended up profitable three Grands Prix in 2024, marking his first win since 2021 and strengthening his path to becoming a member of Ducati’s manufacturing facility workforce for 2025.
He dominated the 2025 season with 11 wins, clinching his seventh MotoGP title.
What was Marc Marquez’s first Ducati take a look at on the bottom like?
There have been hopes that the 2023 Valencia take a look at would nearly utterly put an finish to the championship battle between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin that passed off over the Grand Prix weekend.
Marquez’s bombshell that he would basically journey his year-old satellite tv for pc Ducati from Honda without cost was a monumental second.
Honda had hit all-time low at this level and 2023 was a tricky yr for Marquez. On the time, it could have been straightforward for Marquez to see a transfer to Ducati, even an older bike, as a certain path again to the highest of the rostrum, however that was by no means to be the case. If that transfer did not work out, Marquez’s profession would probably have been over.
It was a chilly morning on the Ricardo Tormo circuit, however that did not deter the throngs of media who had gathered for the take a look at, clambering seeking the perfect spot for the perfect first photograph.
These first laps had been an important second within the historical past of recent MotoGP, with Marc Márquez driving a non-Honda machine. On one stage that day, Marquez set the quickest time, and the cheers within the media heart may have fooled everybody into considering he was the champion.
He ended up ending the day in 4th place. Gresini coach Michele Masini was restricted in what he may really inform us, however he was avoided the media.
Nonetheless, it was clear that the day was an enormous success for each riders and groups.
