At Ducati, champions come and go, but some decisions define eras. Paolo Ciabatti, former sporting director of the MotoGP team and now head of Ducati Corse Off-Road, has just linked three names that tell the story of Borgo Panigale: Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez, and Pedro Acosta. Beyond the admiration for these exceptional riders, his words also paint a less comfortable picture for Francesco Bagnaia: Ducati is now preparing for the future without him.
Stoner: the genius that Ducati never forgot
Interviewed by Moto.it at EICMA, Ciabatti first talks about Casey Stoner , world champion with Ducati in 2007. He was not with the team during that victory: having left that year, he would not return until 2013.
But he later worked alongside the Australian as a test driver. And the memory remains vivid. " During our tests at Sepang, after only three laps, he was already the fastest ."
Ciabatti ranks him among the greatest talents in history, while acknowledging that he was " not easy to work with ." This statement sums up the Stoner paradox : a rider capable of taming a notoriously unique Ducati , but whose personality didn't always lend itself to compromise.
The former manager emphasizes above all that his work as a test rider contributed to the development of the Ducati bikes that went on to win in subsequent years. Stoner therefore didn't just leave behind a title; he also helped pave the way for the successes of his successors.
Marquez: the gamble that shook up the Ducati house
The parallel with Marc Marquez is obvious. His recruitment broke with a strategy long associated with promoting young riders, particularly Italian ones. And it inevitably disrupted the balance around Bagnaia.
Ciabatti, however, does not regret this choice. " The results confirm that it was the right decision ," he believes, praising Marquez's ability to return to the title fight despite a difficult start to the season.
His reasoning is based on raw talent: even after his injuries, even at an age when others are declining, Marquez remains capable of changing the hierarchy. Ducati hasn't just recruited a track record. They've invested in a rider capable of turning a championship on its head.
Acosta: the next bet, already confirmed?
The rest of the reasoning leads directly to 2027. " Even choosing Acosta, who is younger, will probably allow us to build the most successful team at the 2027 World Championship ," Ciabatti suggests.
The message is clear: pairing Marquez with Acosta means uniting an established legend with one of the most promising talents of his generation. But the partnership's success is by no means guaranteed.
The 850cc motorcycles, the new Pirelli tires , and the combination of two strong ambitions will introduce many unknowns. On paper, the duo is impressive. On the track, they will have to prove they can work together.
And what about Bagnaia in all of this?
Ciabatti hasn't forgotten the two-time world champion. " It's a shame that Bagnaia had such a difficult season this year, in every respect ." However, he declined to explain the reasons: busy with his new responsibilities, he admitted he didn't have the necessary information.
This caveat is important. It prevents his remarks from being turned into accusations against Pecco or the team. But the contrast remains: Ciabatti celebrates the signing of Marquez , anticipates the strength of the partnership with Acosta , and, almost as an aside, laments Bagnaia 's difficulties.
So, what do we remember?
- Stoner remains for Ciabatti an exceptional talent, also valuable as a test driver.
- Marquez represents a recruitment deemed a success, despite the strategic shift he represented.
- Acosta embodies the future of Ducati, while Bagnaia is preparing to turn the page.
Stoner showed that an exceptional rider could transcend a motorcycle. Marquez reminds us that a champion can turn a season around. Acosta will have to prove he can become the next one. For Ducati , the logic seems inescapable: feelings matter, but bets on talent determine the future.
