Still prevaricating which makes me think JM jumped ship rather than Ducati preferring MM. There’s a lot of sponsorship issues to resolve, especially if MM tries to bring Repsol with him. Andy
Why would he want Repsol bought across to the factory squad? He didn't see that as a necessity with Gresini.
Repsol is one of MM’s personal sponsors and the scuttle butt at the weekend was, Repsol will be ending their sponsorship of Honda. It was also surmised that it is taking time for MM to negotiate which sponsors will support whatever team he is riding for, hence no tie up with Gresini as yet. Conflict of interest between team sponsors and rider’s personal sponsors is a minefield to negotiate, especially when the rider has some serious financial backing. Andy
Yes I see that now. So it looks as if it is just the small print to be finalized. I am sure he won't be on the same "basic" salary as he was at Honda, but with all the personal sponsorship and product endorsements, he won't exactly go hungry! VR received huge payouts from Dainese for example.
Not the most surprising news! Although I guess they managed to get him to drop his RedBull sponsorship! That must have cost them a bit!
TBF 95% of anyone watching MGP predicted this as soon as MM threw his leg over and rode the first race on the Ducati
What next? Pramac to Yamaha. Basti to VR46, or KTM gas gas…or factory Yamaha ride VR46 full factory bikes for ‘25 Vinales stays at Aprilia…. Aldeguer to Gresini or VR46 When will the music stop
Factory bike.https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1...s-next-destination-after-ducatis-big-decision It may be Ducati have created their own problems for ‘25 by pushing some of the best riders to competitors.
According to Max Biaggi in a grid walk interview, the current Aprilia’s achillies heel is braking. IMO, the current KTM issues with activating the tyres, is down to the WP suspension. White Power were world leaders in off road competition suspension, the purchase of WP by KTM and their subsequent entry into tarmac racing, isn’t delivering the goods. With the rule changes agreed for 2027, I really don’t see any manufacturer developing what they have now to the level that they can compete with the Ducati. I don’t look forward to another 2 years of a one sided championship with MM at the helm Andy
The KTM certainly seems to handle when Acosta is on board… IMO, rider, set-up, electronics. Yamaha now seem to have power, but not set-up, aero or electronics to match. Plus only feedback from two riders, one of which has spent little time with the bike. I acknowledge though that Max Biaggi knows a hell of a lot more than me…lol Thing is, all bikes have a weakness, equally there are usually strengths. More bikes on the grid, means more feedback/data too. That is a huge plus for Ducati.
reading this thread youd think that MM has the championship sewn up for however many seasons he rides the factory ducati. i dont think thats how it plays out but im no expert unlike you lot!
eek, missus chewed you out today? Haha statistically when Marquez has had a bike somewhere near as competitive as other bikes he has won multiple back to back championships, it’s that simple, whether you are a fan or not. The Honda was never the best bike out there, he was the only one able to win, but it was close enough to the Ducati and Honda and he made the difference
Recently not great. Got to say though it looked the best bike when he joined Honda. A certain Pedrosa went well on it too.
