Marc Marquez’s first MotoGP defeat since Might means he gained’t have a mathematical probability to win the 2025 title in Ducati’s house Misano spherical.
However with an enormous 182-point benefit over brother Alex, and solely 259 nonetheless accessible, this weekend will nonetheless be an unofficial celebration of Ducati’s new champion.
Regardless of his spectacular success for the house producer this season, the type of reception Marquez will get from the Misano followers stays to be seen.
In previous years, Misano – the native occasion of former arch-rival Valentino Rossi – has been the epicentre of Marquez booing, together with after final season’s win for Gresini.
Regardless of now carrying official Ducati crimson, jeers continued after Marquez’s victories at Mugello this 12 months, a lot to the fury of group supervisor Davide Tardozzi.
Whereas Tardozzi implored followers to have a good time a Marquez victory as a Ducati victory, the boos underlined the hole in notion between rider and bike.
It’s a notable shift from latest years, when the excellence was typically blurred – aided by ‘house’ Italian riders main the Ducati cost: Andrea Dovizioso even completed title runner-up to Marquez (Honda) in 2017, ’18, ’19 bearing the nickname ‘Desmo Dovi’.
Ducati rider success reached new heights with world championship glory for Francesco Bagnaia in 2022 and 2023, however Ducati’s dominance was additionally more and more clear, with victories unfold amongst a spread of riders.
When Bagnaia misplaced the crown to Jorge Martin final season, it solely underlined Ducati’s place as kingmaker, filling the highest 4 locations on this planet championship standings.
But when latest seasons have seen rider-bike notion in favour of Ducati, the gulf between Marquez and fellow GP25 riders Bagnaia (-250 factors) and Fabio di Giannantonio (-326 factors) means this 12 months seems to be very very similar to a Marquez triumph.
The #93 has used the previous Misano boos as a supply of motivation, profitable on the observe 4 instances within the premier-class, however there’s little question Ducati would like a much less hostile reception for his or her ‘new’ champion.
Maybe for that cause, Marquez referred to Misano as “a weekend devoted to all of the Ducati followers” – at a circuit rather more suited to his using model than final weekend in Barcelona.
“It was an amazing race in Catalunya, an incredible celebration with all of the followers and on a observe that, a minimum of on paper, wasn’t good for my traits, we took the win within the Dash and the second place within the GP,” Marquez mentioned.
“I knew Alex was very quick; already within the first free apply session he had a greater tempo within the closing sector.
“Misano, then again, is a observe extra suited to my model; it is going to be a weekend devoted to all of the Ducati followers; I am unable to wait to get out on observe.”
Marquez is anticipated to have his first title probability on the following Motegi spherical, the house occasion of his former employer, Honda.
