Lenovo Ducati’s Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia saw Jorge Martin snatch the 2024 MotoGP crown from him, but 2025 opens with an even bigger challenge: his new teammate, six-time champion Marc Marquez, who crashed the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix. The Italian may have to deal with more defeats before he can truly challenge for the title, and that first round in Buriram was a deafening alarm in the Bagnaia camp.
Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia has cause for concern. His teammate, Marc Marquez, flew over the Thailand Grand Prix, first round of the 2025 championship. This performance is cause for concern bagnaia, who sees a major rival standing in his way.
Le Thailand Grand Prix was a real masterstroke for Marc MarquezThe Spaniard crushed the competition, winning both the Sprint et the main race, while bagnaia had to settle for third place twice, behind Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati). This performance sounded like a warning for bagnaia, who saw his teammate win with disconcerting ease on a bike that he has nevertheless considered his "home" for more than four years.
From the tests of Sepang, the warning signs were there. Marquez, despite adapting to a new team and the GP24 (a significant evolution from the GP23 he was driving in 2024), has shown that he has an early advantage over bagnaia. During sprint simulations, Marquez beat the Italian, suggesting a complicated season for the double world champion.
The trials of Buriram confirmed the fears of bagnaia. While Marquez completed a full race simulation and refined his understanding of the bike, bagnaia was hampered by technical problems on the first day. Nothing worked all day " he said, having to start from scratch the next day. Result: Marquez has taken a head start, and bagnaia could not close the gap.
Pecco Bagnaia is aware that Marc Marquez has already taken a psychological and technical advantage
The race weekend was a show of strength by Marquez, who chained pole position, victory in Sprint and main race. Bagnaia, despite his efforts, did not find the key to compete with his teammate. I'm not here to finish third. " he said, but the reality on the track was quite different.
The situation may not improve for bagnaia in the next races. MotoGP will first go to Argentina, on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, a playground favorable to Marquez. The Spaniard has won twice there (in 2014 and 2019) and has always performed well on this track. On the other hand, bagnaia has never done better than fifth place in Argentina and even fell during the last edition in 2023.
Then, head to the United States, to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where Marquez was virtually invincible. Nicknamed the “King of COTA,” he won seven victories between 2013 and 2021. Although Marquez downplays his record to Austin, pointing out that he rode a very different Honda RC213V, there is no denying his mastery of the circuit and his new Ducati make it the absolute favorite.
For bagnaia, the next Grands Prix could look like a damage limitation operation. I might have to switch to risk management mode " he conceded, aware that Marquez has already gained a psychological and technical advantage. However, bagnaia is known for its ability to bounce back and progress quickly through data analysis. But faced with a Marquez full of confidence and at ease on circuits that suit him, the task looks set to be difficult.
The 2025 season promises to be an exciting duel between two champions on the same team. Marc Marquez, with its domination in Thailand, laid the foundations for an ambitious season. Pecco bagnaia, meanwhile, will have to show resilience and adaptation to counter his teammate and transform this rivalry into a memorable battle for the title. The next rounds in Argentina and USA will be decisive in knowing who, from bagnaia ou Marquez, will take the upper hand in this internal struggle Ducati.
Course MotoGP Thailand GP:
MotoGP general classification:
