Last Tuesday's test in Barcelona was a chance to get an idea of what th 2025 MotoGP will be like. And what was most anticipated and talked about was certainly Marc Marquez's move from Gresini Racing to the factory team alongside Pecco Bagnaia.
At Montmelo, the eight-time world champion had the opportunity to test the GP25 he'll be riding next year, after having to make do with the GP23 this season. The first experience was positive.
"The goal of the day was to understand what his sensations were and, when he came into the garage and said he liked the bike, it was a relief for me," Technical Director Mauro Grassilli confessed to the Marca website.
Getting the rider from Cervera on board wasn't an easy deal to conclude, and even his debut on the track was decided and planned in every detail.
"We worked hard to have him on the team, starting with negotiations with his manager, Jimmy Martinez, then coming to an agreement regarding different aspects, such as sponsors.
So, seeing the outcome of so many months of commitment was a unique emotion," he continued, elated by the Spanish rider's presence in the garage.
If many have described the new red couple like a bomb ready to explode because of the heated rivalry, the engineer threw water on the fire. "I've seen them talking together, sharing their ideas about the bike, which turned out to be the same.
They're two professionals, and this is how they have to behave for the good of the team and contribute to the development of the Desmosedici. It wasn't a foregone conclusion that they'd confront each other, but to have done so in a lucid manner and, among other things, with similar opinions on the bike, was the first recognition of the work we're doing," he continued enthusiastically, claiming that the unity demonstrated could also be the result of the common desire to bring Ducati Lenovo back to the top of the world.
"If the two most important people on a team, the riders, have the same goal, which is also ours, even if it won't always be easy, it convinces me that next season will be a good experience," he said, contradicting those who already imagined things getting nasty.
Having secured a hotshot like Marquez meant Bastianini and World Championship winner Martin were bidding farewell to the brand. "Reaching this decision was very hard, but we had to find the best solution.
I can assure you that it was very sad. In the last few months, I've lived in close contact with Enea, with his family, and our relationship was great. They're exceptional people, and I'm really sorry that I'll no longer be able to work with them.
The same I can say about Jorge and his father Angel, but this is sports. When you feel mutual respect, it's not easy to make these choices, but that's how it is," he concluded, justifying himself for having to sacrifice two important riders.
