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After taking the veil off the Desmosedici GP25s yesterday morning, the big "Campioni in Pista" event organized by Ducati in Madonna di Campiglio continued on the snows of the Dolomites. It was a good opportunity for Marc Marquez to regain some familiarity with the skis, more than to start challenging his new teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, in a head-to-head race.
"I realized I was going to lose the race even before the alarm went off, because I usually never ski. Imust have skied maybe ten times in my life: I started skiing very late, when I must have been 23 or 24 years old, and only as a hobby," the Spanish rider recounted during one of the moments of conviviality experienced in Madonna di Campiglio. "Actually, skiing is not in the contract, but it is a Ducati event and we had a lot of fun. We had a kind of race and I got better and better, so I had a lot of fun."
After only seeing from the outside the activities organized by the Borgo Panigale-based company, the eldest of the Marquez brothers finally got a chance to experience something like "Champions on Track" firsthand.
"Of course, these kinds of events are always wonderful. When you're on another team and you see events like this you want to be there because you see people having fun. For me this is the biggest presentation of MotoGP and to be here in the mountains is something incredible," underlined the eight-time world champion when talking about what this event on the snows of Trentino represents for him. "As Pecco also says, this is the best way to do team building. Because, when you are on the track, the engineers are on the computer, you are working with the physiotherapist, with the videos, and then the mechanics are busy with the bike. One rider is in his side of the pit with his team, while the other rider is on the other side of the garage. This is the best way to get to know each other and build a good team and to create the atmosphere in which to shape the best bike. We already have it, but we need to maintain this level."
An atmosphere of harmony that allowed the two Ducati riders to get to know each other better.
"The most surprising thing I learned about Pecco? All the chicken he eats - he always eats chicken at every lunch and every dinner," said a laughing Marc, who also got to see a photo of him and Pecco from a test at Castellolí about 15 years ago during the event. "He showed it to me. I don't remember exactly the day, but I know he was racing for Monlau and I had a very close relationship with Monlau Competición. I don't remember exactly that day, though. Pecco has a good memory. I don't. I have a selective memory! - he commented laughing - It's good, though, because I also remember the first day of many things and it's good to have memories of those kinds of days."
Speaking precisely about the relationship between him and Pecco, the Spanish rider expressed that sharing the box may influence how they will deal with each other after last year's incident in Portimao.
"I think like Pecco: it depends, but for me, no. No one wants to whine or come into contact, but sometimes, when you are on the limit, you trust the other rider and the other one trusts you, but sometimes, one looks one way and the other looks another. We both took zero points, so it was not a good moment," said Marc, who talking about the skill he would like to steal from Bagnaia admitted, "For me, his strong point is the way he tackles fast right turns, which is my weak point. He is very fast in those kinds of corners, and he is also strong at the braking point. It is a good combination to be World Champion with Ducati, so I will try to learn from him."
Making it easier for him will be the fact that he can analyze Pecco's data, as he did last year.
"Obviously, you look at the best Ducati riders. And last year, especially in the first part of the season, I watched a lot what Pecco and Martin were doing, who were the fastest. Especially Pecco, because he was in the factory team and I was trying to understand the setup of the bike," Marquez explained. "Then, the second part of the season was different because I followed my own way more, as I was starting to understand the bike better and what I needed. It's always a good strategy from Ducati to share all the information with all the riders, though, because it's easier to improve that way."
Among the things that have changed for the 31-year-old from his first and only season as a Team Gresini rider, however, is the fact that he is back doing the work of an official rider.
"Certainly, the working method is a little different from last year. In 2024 we had what we had and then played with the set-up. So for the rider it is easier. Tests like the one in Malaysia, or in Catalunya in November, are more focused on the technical aspects. They are tests more for engineers than for riders, but they have to be done. The good thing is that we have the same opinions about the bike, and now we will have some new things in Malaysia, but the most important thing is to choose the right way and find the right balance," said Marc, who does not want to get too excited about new things for the next test. "What will Dall'Igna extract from his 'magic box'? I hope it hasn't arrived, because if it was useful it would mean that some other manufacturer is very close to us."
On his relationship with a demanding team manager like Davide Tardozzi, the eight-time world champion added: "What do I think Davide will come and tell me after a race?I expect he will be busy with Pecco. Joking aside, we'll start talking a little bit and sometimes maybe we won't have the same opinion, but it's nice to trust and share different opinions. Sometimes it will be that the right decision will be his, sometimes it will be mine and sometimes we will find a compromise."
Marquez's adventure with the Lenovo Ducati team seems to have gotten off on the right foot, and the Spanish rider is hoping to seal this great start with a good result in the first race of the year in Thailand: "It's difficult to make a prediction before the preseason, but it would be very nice if I could start this new chapter by standing on a podium step."
