Marquez starting the “most important challenge of my career” at factory Ducati

Marc Marquez has described his switch to Ducati as the “most important challenge” of his career as he aims for his first MotoGP title since 2019.

Marquez began life as a factory Ducati rider during Monday’s launch event in Italy, as he made his highly-anticipated debut in the company’s corporate red colour.

The Spaniard was visibly smiling during the presentation, with the right arm injury from 2020 that forced four operations and threatened to end his career now firmly in the past.

Having successfully adapted to the Desmosedici at Gresini in 2024 after 11 years on the Honda RC213V, Marquez said he is now entering a phase that is even more crucial in his pursuit of becoming the top dog in MotoGP again.

“I’m really happy to be here dressed in the official colours of Ducati, ” the six-time champion said on stage.

“It’s exciting to be in Madonna di Campiglio today, opening a new MotoGP season. But above all, it’s exciting because it marks the start of what I consider to be the most important challenge of my career.

“During this winter I have been able to disconnect a little but I have also had time to train hard and now I feel ready to face a new year that will be intense and exciting.”

Ducati has been the dominant force in MotoGP in the last few years, with Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin winning the last three titles and Desmosedici riders locking out the top four spots in the standings in 2024.

This means that the pressure is on Marquez to deliver and continue the Borgo Panigale marque’s winning streak in MotoGP this year.

The biggest threat to a potential seventh premier class title for Marquez comes from within, with new team-mate Bagnaia eager to avenge his 2024 defeat to Pramac rival Martin and maintain his number one status within the manufacturer’s ranks.

Marquez so far has only been able to complete one day of testing with the official Ducati team, on an early version of the GP25 prototype in November, and is eager to accumulate more running on the bike to understand its full potential.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing the work we started at the Montmelo test last November and getting back on the bike at Sepang and Buriram,” he said.

“My first short-term goal is to enjoy riding, because if I achieve that I know that everything else will come.

“As I have said many times, when you are in an official team, the ultimate goal cannot be other than to be competitive in every race, to get podiums and victories and to try to fight for the world championship.

“During the days we have shared with the team I have been able to see that the working environment is really fantastic. I can’t wait to ride the Desmosedici GP again.”