Reigning MotoGP World Champion Pecco Bagnaia wrapped up a productive test day in Barcelona, reflecting on his impressions of the new Ducati GP25 and the dynamics of working with his new teammate, the legendary Marc Márquez. With three bikes at his disposal and a clear plan for the offseason, Bagnaia appeared optimistic about the direction of Ducati’s development heading into 2025.
“The GP25 Was Born Well”: Bagnaia’s Verdict on Ducati’s New Machine
Bagnaia had two GP25s and a GP24 at his disposal during the Barcelona test, giving him ample opportunity to assess Ducati’s latest evolution. The Italian star was encouraged by the bike’s early performance and the clarity it provided for future improvements.
“It was a positive day because we tested everything that needed to be tested,” Bagnaia explained. “Above all, it became quite clear what the engineers will need to concentrate on this winter. When a new bike starts at a good level, it’s always positive—it means it was born well and has potential.”
The reigning champ also hinted at even more tools for the job in the coming months, teasing the addition of another bike for the Malaysian tests.
“I always envied those who had three or four bikes in the garage. In Malaysia, we’ll add another one,” Bagnaia said with a smile.
Márquez and Bagnaia: A Partnership Built on Braking
The Barcelona test also marked the beginning of Bagnaia’s working relationship with Marc Márquez, who made his debut as Ducati’s newest recruit. While Bagnaia has offered no advice to his new teammate, their shared focus on braking has already proven invaluable.
“No advice, but our comments are very similar,” Bagnaia said. “The requests are the same, which speeds up the work because we’re looking for the same things.”
Bagnaia acknowledged the differences in their riding styles but noted a key similarity that could prove to be a game-changer for Ducati’s development.
“When it comes to braking, we are very similar. We are two riders who rely heavily on the brakes and put a lot of stress on them, so we were looking for the same sensations.”
A Promising Start for Ducati’s Dream Team
The alignment between Bagnaia and Márquez during their first test together offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could become a formidable partnership. With both riders pushing in the same direction and Ducati’s GP25 showing early promise, the Italian factory team is poised for another dominant campaign.
“Marc and I had the same feelings, and that certainly makes a difference when working,” Bagnaia concluded.
As the MotoGP grid braces for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on this dynamic duo. If their collaboration continues to yield results as it did in Barcelona, Ducati may have just assembled one of the most powerful pairings in recent MotoGP history.
