After two Grand Prix in 2025 (Thailand, Argentina), Marc Marquez on his factory Ducati is crushing everything: two poles, two sprints, two victories. Pecco Bagnaia, his teammate, is rowing behind. The GP25, supposed to be their shared weapon, seems tailor-made for Marc. Oscar Haro, former LCR Honda sporting director, deciphers this explosive dynamic in the Ducati garage. Can Pecco bounce back? Not sure, especially in Austin!
The 2025 MotoGP season begins under the best auspices for Marc Marquez, but for Pecco Bagnaia, it's a completely different story. With two victories in Thailand and Argentina, Marquez confirmed that he was far from being on the decline. After years of injuries and a Honda uncompetitive, the Spaniard found a bike worthy of his talent: the Ducati Desmosedici. And he takes the opportunity to write new pages of his legendary history. But in the shadow of this triumphant return, bagnaia seems in difficulty. Oscar Haro, former sports director of Honda LCR, analyzed the situation at Ducati, and his observations are unequivocal.
Marc Marquez didn't just win two races in a row – he sent a clear message to the entire paddock: he's back. With two wins in Thailand and Argentina, Marc confirmed that he was not on the way to the end ", said Haro. After years of battling injuries and a Honda unable to compete, Marquez finally has a machine that matches his talent. And he takes the opportunity to remind everyone why he is considered one of the greatest riders in the history of MotoGP.
Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning vice-champion, seems lost. The Spaniard's excellent results contrast with those of his teammate Pecco Bagnaia, who does not have an easy task adapting to the motorcycle ", Explain HaroThe problem, according to the former sporting director, could be in the winter period between the Valencia tests in November and the first trials in 2025. During this period, Ducati modified the Desmosedici based on feedback from its two drivers. But apparently, these adjustments do not suit bagnaia.
« Often, riders, when they try the bike in the first races, or even in winter tests, say: "Damn, I want to go back to the last bike« "Comments Haro. A situation which seems to correspond to that of bagnaia, who would even consider returning to the GP24. I think if Pecco had developed this bike himself, he would have been better. His times are lower than last year's, which means he has also improved a lot " adds Haro. But this progress is not enough in the face of a Marquez in full renaissance.
Oscar Haro: “ The problem is that Gigi Dall'Igna has an incredible feeling with Marc Marquez »
Another key element of this situation, according to Haro, is the relationship between Gigi Dall'Igna, the technical director of Ducati, and Marc Marquez. " The problem is that Gigi has an incredible feeling with Marc " says Haro on Motoracing. This connection seems to have given to Marquez a head start in adapting to the GP25, leaving bagnaia set back. At the moment, the champion from Cervera is clearly ahead in his adaptation to the GP25, so much so that his teammate is thinking of taking a step back and returning to the GP24 " explains Haro.
Haro also points out a strategic error of bagnaia : take inspiration from telemetry from Marquez. " Marc has always destroyed his teammates ", Haro recalls. " I think that Pecco, when he announced his intention to continue with the Ducati GP24, thought he was following his own path, instead of following Marc's development, because it's very difficult. But it's happened to everyone. It happened to Pedrosa, to his brother, to Cal Crutchlow, to Stefan Bradl, to Pol Espargaró. All the drivers who were Marc's teammates tried to do the same thing, and they failed. »
Despite these difficulties, Haro remains optimistic about the ability of bagnaia to bounce back. I see Marc as very strong in America, while Pecco is a little demoralized. Pecco seems to me to be a very intelligent athlete, a hard worker; I think he can do it " he says. But the road will be long, especially in the face of a Marquez who seems to be regaining his state of grace.
The situation at Ducati is tense, and the rivalry between Marquez et bagnaia promises to be one of the big dramas of this season. While Marquez dominated, bagnaia must regain confidence in himself and his machine. With such strong personalities and such raw talent, this internal battle at Ducati will captivate this MotoGP season. It remains to be seen whether bagnaia will be able to take up the challenge and regain his place at the top, or if Marquez will continue to write his legend.
