Valentino Rossi received’t be capable of help Francesco Bagnaia in his battle with Marc Marquez, it has been claimed.
Rossi kicked off 2025 by insisting he needed to be extra current within the MotoGP paddock.
In addition to his VR46 group gaining an elevated standing inside Ducati, his protege Bagnaia has welcomed his everlasting nemesis Marquez into the manufacturing facility storage.
Marquez destroyed the sphere on the season-opening Thailand MotoGP to win the dash and the grand prix.
The championship this 12 months would tie Marquez with Rossi’s tally of 9 world titles.
“I don’t understand how a lot Vale may also help Pecco,” Sylvain Guintoli instructed TNT Sports activities.
“Pecco is aware of what he has to do, he is aware of his potential.
“If I used to be him, I’d be nervous. He is aware of that Marc final 12 months, on an inferior bike, was preventing with him. The final lap at Jerez? Marc was doing it on a year-old bike in a personal group.
“Pecco is aware of this might be a harder job this 12 months. The strain is on.
“As a rider, it’s a nasty scenario! You don’t need Marquez as your teammate! Will probably be powerful.
“However, Pecco, there’s something there that we haven’t seen but. If it’s going to return out, it is going to come this 12 months.”
Pecco Bagnaia faces ‘tough 12 months’ towards Marc Marquez
Bagnaia has established himself as a two-time MotoGP champion.
He delivered Ducati’s first title since Casey Stoner in 2007, and was the primary Italian to win since Rossi.
All eyes are on the dynamic within the Ducati field because the sensible Marquez joins.
“Will probably be a distinct story for him going head-to-head with Marquez,” Guintoli warned.
“Pecco is aware of how proficient and naturally quick Marc is, and the way mentally robust he’s.
“He’s the perfect rider in the intervening time – have a look at his outcomes.
“He’s a rider you don’t need as a teammate! As a rider you don’t need someone robust on the identical bike with entry to the identical info.
“Will probably be a tough 12 months for Pecco however we all know he thrives beneath most strain.”
Neil Hodgson stated earlier than the grand prix in Thailand: “It isn’t a foregone conclusion that Marc will obliterate Bagnaia, who’s a two-time champion.
“Bagnaia has not peaked, he’s nonetheless studying and rising as a rider.
“We’ve received a deal with forward, we are going to some nice races. Early on, they’ll making an attempt to command who’s No 1. Some riders will let the brakes off.”
Hodgson insisted concern is not going to be an element for Bagnaia: “By no means.
“If Pecco permits Marc to be Marc – to tough him up on observe – he’ll proceed to do this.
“Pecco is tremendous vibrant and he is aware of that so he received’t give Marc a millimetre on observe.
“He must be ‘excellent Pecco’ – qualify on pole, get the lead, be excellent.
“We’ve seen him do this, he’s had plenty of excellent weekends. It’s the one method to fend off Marquez.”
