Valentino Rossi believes Ducati’s outgoing MotoGP riders feel “betrayed” by the Bologna manufacturer signing Marc Marquez.
Speaking out for the first time since the events that saw Ducati pick Marquez to replace Enea Bastianini at the factory squad next season, with both riders in a three-way battle for the seat with Pramac’s Jorge Martin, Rossi believes that there are strong repercussions from this signing.
Martin’s approach was factory Ducati or no Ducati, with the announcement later revealed that he would be joining rival manufacturer Aprilia.
Bastianini will ride for Tech3 GasGas for 2025, with VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi also leaving the Ducati stable to accompany Martin at Aprilia.
Pramac and Ducati also ended its long-standing affiliation, with Pramac choosing Yamaha from 2025 on a long-term deal.
Rossi believes that the next factory Ducati rider should have been a rider within its existing talent pool, rather than bringing in eight-time champion Marquez.
The MotoGP legend told L’Équipe: “I didn’t quite understand it. Ducati had an interesting system in place, with a pyramid that allowed young riders to progress.
“So Pecco was brought on board, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were also waiting for him. And suddenly Ducati decided to bring Marc in.
“It’s normal that [the riders] feel betrayed. From one moment to the next they no longer count, so I’m not surprised that they consider the choice of Marquez to be a joke.
“The consequence of that [the signing of Marquez] is the breaking of the alliance with Pramac.”
Rossi believes that Bagnaia will be up for the task against Marquez when the Spaniard joins the factory outfit, with Ducati having one of the best line-ups in recent MotoGP history.
“Pecco is ready,” he said. “He is making a difference and has managed to raise the bar. He’s a two-time [MotoGP] world champion and he’s fighting for a third title, but in my opinion he didn’t need Marc in the box to prove he’s number one.”
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