They were destined to become the paddock's fiercest rivals. Between Valentino Rossi's legacy, Francesco Bagnaia's ambitions, and Marc Marquez's arrival at Ducati, all the ingredients seemed to be in place for an internal war. Two seasons later, the Spaniard has gained the upper hand in terms of performance, but a less dramatic reality has emerged: Bagnaia taught him to work harder. And even helped him find his place in the factory team.
When Ducati brought Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia together in 2025, predictions for an explosive partnership. On one side, a Spanish champion aiming to reclaim the top spot in MotoGP . On the other, the two-time world champion (2022-2023), a central figure in the Ducati project and a member of the VR46 Academy . In the background, the old rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Marquez.
But Bagnaia immediately dismissed the idea of inheriting a conflict that wasn't his. And events proved him right: the sporting rivalry didn't prevent genuine technical collaboration.
Marquez has taken power, Bagnaia has lost his bearings
The expected balance, however, did not withstand the results for long. After a 2024 season that concluded with eleven victories, Bagnaia approached Marquez 's arrival with the status of Ducati 's benchmark rider.
But the Spaniard, drawing on his experience with Gresini , quickly adapted to the factory machine. In 2025, he dominated the championship and clinched the world title with five rounds to spare.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia struggled to regain his form on the GP25. This trend continued into 2026. Marquez has six wins, while his teammate has only managed four podium finishes, the last one at Brno.
This fuels theories that Ducati has gradually steered its development towards the Spaniard's preferences. An interpretation that Davide Tardozzi , the team manager, disputes.
Mark: " Pecco taught me to be precise.s”
In a video posted on the official MotoGP account, the two riders were asked to discuss their teammate's qualities. Bagnaia first highlighted a characteristic less visible than Marquez 's lap times . " I think he's always positive in the garage, which is a very good quality off the track. Because on the track, it's clear he's a master ."
The Spaniard welcomed the compliment by explaining his philosophy. " I always try to be optimistic and see the bright side of a mistake, for example, or a problem ." But his response didn't stop there. " Pecco also taught me a lot, because you always learn something. He taught me to be precise in my comments and to be organized ."
Marquez added : " He's a very friendly teammate and he also helped me get into the Ducati factory team ." This recognition takes on a particular resonance given the sporting balance between the two men.
A little positivity goes a long way 🫶 #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/2TTxVph3dK
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 17, 2026
Two champions, two working methods
Accurate technical feedback is a crucial element in MotoGP development. It's not enough to simply ride fast: you also need to identify the machine's behavior, prioritize problems, and provide actionable information to the engineers.
Bagnaia , who has been part of the official team for several years, has considerable experience in this role. Marquez , for his part, has brought an adaptability and a positive approach that his teammate openly appreciates.
These qualities do not guarantee equal results. But they do serve as a reminder that collaboration can work even when one driver clearly dominates. And that the one who finishes last is not necessarily the one who contributes the least to collective development.
In 2027, everyone will go their own way
This partnership is now coming to an end. According to the announced moves for 2027, Pedro Acosta will join Marquez in the official Ducati team, while Bagnaia will reunite with Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia.
For the Italian, this change will offer the opportunity to rebuild his momentum after two difficult seasons alongside Marquez . For the Spaniard, a new and demanding partnership with Acosta will begin.
As for the speculation about any possible resentment from Bagnaia , it cannot erase the public statements of both riders. Marquez won the battle of results. But he acknowledges that Bagnaia helped him become more effective in the garage.
One last irony for those who were expecting a war between the two men: at Ducati , the rider who suffered the most from Marquez 's arrival is also the one who taught him to work better.
