Ducati CEO and Gigi Dall’igna made 3 BIG REQUESTS for Marc Marquez and Bagnaia that made the whole MotoGP team explode !!
The MotoGP world is abuzz with speculation and excitement following a dramatic announcement from Ducati’s leadership. Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati, alongside Gigi Dall’Igna, the mastermind behind Ducati Corse’s technical dominance, have reportedly laid out three significant demands for their star riders, Marc Marquez and Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, as the 2025 season reaches a critical juncture. These demands, revealed in the wake of Marquez’s commanding performance at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, are set to reshape the dynamics within the Ducati Lenovo Team and send shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock.
The 2025 season has been a tale of contrasting fortunes for Ducati’s factory riders. Marc Marquez, the six-time MotoGP world champion, has taken the championship by storm since joining the Bologna-based manufacturer. His adaptation to the Desmosedici GP25 has been nothing short of extraordinary, with nine wins in twelve races and a 40-point lead over his brother, Alex Marquez, in the championship standings. His dominant victory at Mugello, a track historically unkind to him, underscored his relentless form, with a pole position and a clean sweep of the sprint and main races. Marquez’s aggressive riding style, particularly his mastery of left-hand turns and late-race explosiveness, has made him the rider to beat in 2025.
In stark contrast, Pecco Bagnaia, the two-time world champion and Ducati’s homegrown hero, has struggled to find his rhythm. Despite a strong track record at Mugello, where he secured victories in the last three years, Bagnaia finished a distant fourth in the Italian Grand Prix, trailing Marquez by 110 points in the championship. Technical issues with the GP25, particularly a lack of front-end feel, have hampered Bagnaia’s performance, leading to frustration and a rare admission of vulnerability from the Italian. The intense battle between Marquez and Bagnaia during the opening laps at Mugello, which included a controversial contact at Turn 5, highlighted the growing tension within the Ducati garage.
Against this backdrop, Domenicali and Dall’Igna have issued three bold demands to their riders, aiming to harness their talents while addressing the internal challenges threatening team harmony. The first demand is for Marquez and Bagnaia to prioritize team unity over individual rivalries. The fiery exchanges at Mugello, coupled with reports of Marquez sharing tyre information with his brother Alex, riding for the rival Gresini Ducati team, have raised concerns about divided loyalties. Domenicali has emphasized that Ducati’s success hinges on collaboration, urging both riders to share technical feedback openly to improve the GP25’s performance for the entire team. This demand underscores Ducati’s desire to maintain their competitive edge, with six bikes in the top ten of the championship.
The second demand focuses on technical adaptation. Dall’Igna, known for his relentless pursuit of innovation, has called on Bagnaia to adapt his meticulous riding style to the GP25’s characteristics, which currently favor Marquez’s aggressive approach. Recent tests, including a new aerodynamic fairing introduced after the Aragon Grand Prix, have shown promise for Bagnaia, but Marquez’s skepticism about the changes has created a technical schism. Dall’Igna has made it clear that while Marquez’s dominance is a testament to his adaptability, Bagnaia must find a way to regain his confidence, potentially by reverting to the GP24 bike, which he rode to 11 victories last season. This demand places pressure on Bagnaia to overcome his struggles and match Marquez’s pace before the season slips away.
The third demand is a call for championship focus. With Marquez leading the title race and Bagnaia languishing in third, Domenicali and Dall’Igna have urged both riders to channel their energies into securing the riders’ and constructors’ championships for Ducati. Marquez, described by Dall’Igna as an “absolute champion” after his Aragon masterclass, is expected to maintain his relentless pursuit of a seventh MotoGP title. Meanwhile, Bagnaia has been encouraged to leverage his mental resilience, with Dall’Igna expressing confidence that the Italian can turn his season around. The duo’s performances in upcoming races, particularly at Misano, will be crucial in determining whether Ducati can achieve their ultimate goal of total domination in 2025.
The MotoGP paddock is now rife with debate over the implications of these demands. Some see them as a strategic move to balance Ducati’s star-studded lineup, while others view them as a sign of growing tension within the team. Marquez’s dominance has drawn comparisons to his Honda days, with figures like Kevin Schwantz noting that his performances are making the sport “boring.” However, Bagnaia’s supporters, including former champion Jorge Lorenzo, argue that the Italian must accept the GP25’s limitations and focus on consistency to challenge Marquez.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ducati to see how Marquez and Bagnaia respond to these demands. Will Marquez continue his unstoppable charge toward the title, or can Bagnaia rediscover his championship-winning form? One thing is certain: Ducati’s bold strategy has set the stage for a thrilling showdown that will keep MotoGP fans on the edge of their seats.
