MotoGP, Nadia Padovani, queen of Marquez’s castle, plays by her own rules

The Gresini team likes to entertain. So, for its presentation January 20th, it created a special poster inspired by Tom Hooper’s movie, “The King’s Speech”, winner of four Oscars. Of course, any reference to the ruler of the MotoGP, Marc Marquez, is, obviously, far from random: he’s in the foreground in the photomontage, with Nadia Padovani, and his brother, Alex Marquez, behind him.

If Marc is the king, Nadia is the queen. And, just to make this clear, a title was added: “My castle, my rules”. The first reference is to the presentation: a by-invitation-only event that will be held at the Cocoricò nightclub in Riccione. But you can enjoy the evening in streaming – “live, like at the  movies” – comfortably from your couch.

But the title could also be a reference to the quarrel over Marc’s arrival at Ducati. It’s well known that not everyone in Borgo Panigale was thrilled to have Marquez on board, but the Gresini team (rightly so) achieved the coup of the century, and it (just as rightly so) takes all the credit for it.

As a true independent team, Gresini Racing wants to play by its own rules and has put a big shot in the line-up, something that can create more than a headache for the rest of the team. Nadia has proven that she has courage to spare and has created a real dream team with the Marquez brothers, who we’re used to seeing wearing the official colors.

Nadia is a queen with two kings, and she’s ready to attack. Next Saturday will be a time for words, but facts will demonstrate how right her choice was: starting from the winter tests in Malaysia and Qatar, but especially from the first race, when all eyes will be on Marc and the Gresini team. That will be the right time for some good old entertainment … like at the movies.