The 2025 MotoGP season is barely three races old, and already the drama is hitting fever pitch. At the heart of it all is a furious outburst from legend Valentino Rossi, whose protégé and Ducati factory rider, Pecco Bagnaia, is struggling to keep pace in a championship dominated by one man: Marc Márquez. After a lackluster showing at the Grand Prix of the Americas, where Márquez once again reigned supreme at COTA, Rossi has unleashed a scathing tirade, claiming, “He can’t beat Marc Márquez!” But it’s not just Bagnaia’s form that has the Doctor fuming—it’s Ducati’s apparent favoritism toward their new golden boy, Márquez, at the expense of the reigning champion. Rossi’s bombshell revelation? If Pecco wants to win again, he might need to ditch Ducati altogether.

Let’s set the scene. Coming off back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, Bagnaia entered 2025 as the man to beat, armed with the factory Ducati GP25—a bike touted as the pinnacle of two-wheeled engineering. But three races in—Thailand, Argentina, and now Austin—the Italian has been a shadow of his former self. A crash in Thailand, a distant fifth in Argentina, and a measly fourth at COTA have left him trailing Márquez by a staggering 31 points. Meanwhile, Márquez, who joined Ducati from Honda in a blockbuster move last winter, has been untouchable, sweeping all three Grand Prix weekends with a blend of aggression and precision that’s left the paddock in awe. For Rossi, who mentors Bagnaia through his VR46 Academy, this isn’t just a dip in form—it’s a betrayal.

Speaking to *MotoGP.com* after the Austin race, Rossi didn’t hold back. “Pecco is a champion, but right now, he can’t beat Marc Márquez—and it’s not all his fault,” he fumed. “Ducati is giving everything to Marc: the best engineers, the best updates, the best attention. Pecco? He’s being left behind.” Rossi’s accusation is a dagger aimed straight at Bologna. According to the nine-time world champion, Ducati has shifted its focus to Márquez, treating him as the team’s new savior while neglecting the rider who delivered their last two titles. “You can see it in the data, in the pit box, in the way they talk,” Rossi added. “Pecco’s bike isn’t evolving, but Marc’s is. That’s why he’s losing.”

The evidence seems to back Rossi’s claims. In Austin, Márquez debuted a new aero package on his GP25, complete with updated winglets and a tweaked exhaust system—upgrades Bagnaia didn’t receive. Insiders report that Márquez’s crew, led by ex-Honda guru Santi Hernández, has been prioritized for factory resources, while Bagnaia’s team scrambles with last year’s specs. It’s a stark contrast to 2024, when Bagnaia enjoyed Ducati’s undivided support en route to the crown. Post-race telemetry from COTA showed Márquez’s bike pulling an extra 2-3 km/h on the straights—a small but critical edge. For Rossi, it’s proof of a conspiracy: “They’re building the team around Marc now. Pecco’s just an afterthought.”

Bagnaia, ever the diplomat, has stayed tight-lipped, but his frustration is palpable. After finishing 12 seconds behind Márquez in Austin, he muttered to Italian media, “The bike isn’t where it needs to be. We’re working, but it’s tough.” Rossi, however, isn’t buying the excuses. “Pecco needs to wake up,” he said. “If Ducati won’t give him what he deserves, he should leave. He’s too good to waste his talent like this.” It’s a radical suggestion, but not unfounded. With Márquez locked in until 2027 and Ducati clearly smitten, Bagnaia’s path to another title looks blocked—unless he makes a drastic move.

Where could he go? Yamaha’s eyeing a comeback with Fabio Quartararo, and Aprilia’s RS-GP has shown race-winning pace this year. Even KTM, with its aggressive recruitment, could tempt the 28-year-old Italian. Rossi’s VR46 team, currently a Ducati satellite outfit, might also push to secure factory backing and bring Pecco home. “He needs a team that believes in him 100%,” Rossi insisted. “Right now, Ducati doesn’t.”

This saga is more than a spat—it’s a potential turning point for MotoGP. Márquez’s dominance is undeniable, but Bagnaia’s plight exposes cracks in Ducati’s dynasty. Fans are divided: some hail Márquez as the rightful king, while others cry foul over Pecco’s treatment. As the circus heads to Jerez, the tension is sky-high. Will Bagnaia fight back, or will Rossi’s prophecy come true? One thing’s certain: the Doctor’s words have lit a fuse, and the explosion could reshape the grid. Stay tuned—this season’s just getting started!