The Motegi weekend will remain etched in Ducati's recent history and in the memory of Davide Tardozzi. On Japanese soil, the Borgo Panigale brand achieved an exceptional double: Marc Marquez secured his ninth world title – his seventh in MotoGP and his first with Ducati – while Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia returned to victory after a difficult period.
For Davide Tardozzi, the iconic team manager of the Italian team, this day is simply perfect. Interviewed by Sky Sport MotoGP after the checkered flag, the manager expressed unbridled pride.
« It was a perfect day. Pecco's victory is the second greatest joy after Marc's at the World Championship. The satisfaction of seeing him competitive is a joy for everyone at DucatiMarc dominated this World Championship, and for us, Pecco's victory is worth a World Championship. It took us too long; Pecco always said the right wordsWe were late, but trust has never been lacking on either side »
These words say a lot: for Ducati, the return to the top step of the podium of bagnaia is almost as precious as the world crown of MarquezThe two-time Italian world champion has had a difficult 2025 season, filled with technical uncertainties and inconsistent performances against a Marquez imperial.
Davide Tardozzi: “ we were late, Pecco Bagnaia always had the right speech, without losing confidence in us »
Tardozzi does not hide the fact that this victory has a taste of revenge: Ducati wanted to give back to bagnaia the motorcycle and the serenity to shine again. We were late ", he acknowledges, before saluting the patience and determination of his pilot: " Pecco always spoke the right way, without losing confidence in us. »
Si bagnaia finds color, it is in the shadow of a Marc Marquez irresistible this season. The Spanish champion, who moved to Ducati after his adventure Honda, crushed the championship thanks to his consistency and racing intelligence. Motegi, a symbolic land for Honda, was the ideal setting for his world title and his ninth global title.
Tardozzi, who has closely followed this metamorphosis, measures the impact of having Marquez in his camp: a winning machine that pushed the whole clan Ducati to surpass oneself.
This double at Motegi illustrates the balance that Ducati seeks to achieve: capitalize on the tactical genius and experience of Marquez while giving back to bagnaia the means to become a credible contender for the title again. For Tardozzi, Sunday is a strong message sent to the competition: Ducati is not only a machine tailored for Márquez, it can also revive its home champions.
Celebrating both a world title and a return to victory, Ducati struck a big blow. Tardozzi savor the present but already prepare for the future: if Pecco regains confidence and that Marc remaining at this level, the Italian brand could approach 2026 with a formidable duo.
In a paddock MotoGP where the balance of power changes quickly, Ducati recalls that its domination does not rest on a single man - but on a structure capable of making the greatest win, whether they are called Marquez ou bagnaia.
