In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock, Enea Bastianini has publicly expressed his frustration and anger, attributing his departure from the factory Ducati Lenovo Team to the arrival of Marc Marquez in 2025. Bastianini, a rider who has spent his entire MotoGP career with Ducati machinery, was replaced by the eight-time world champion in a decision that has sparked intense debate among fans and insiders alike. The Italian rider’s comments, made in recent interviews, reveal a deep sense of betrayal and disappointment, as he believes his ousting was directly tied to Ducati’s pursuit of Marquez, a move that has reshaped the team’s lineup and the broader MotoGP landscape.

Bastianini’s tenure with Ducati has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Joining the factory team in 2023 after a standout 2022 season with Gresini Racing, where he won four races and finished third in the championship, Bastianini was seen as a rising star capable of challenging for the title. However, his time in red was marred by injuries and inconsistent results. In 2023, a series of crashes and physical setbacks hampered his performance, leading to a challenging debut season with the factory squad. Despite a strong recovery in 2024, where he secured six podiums and a notable victory at the British Grand Prix, Bastianini found himself sidelined in favor of Marquez, who had been riding for Ducati’s satellite Gresini team in 2024. The decision, announced mid-season, caught many by surprise, especially given Bastianini’s improved form and his long-standing loyalty to the Italian manufacturer.

The crux of Bastianini’s grievances lies in what he perceives as an unfair prioritization of Marquez’s reputation over his own contributions. In a candid interview on the Mig Babol podcast, Bastianini reflected on the moment he learned of Ducati’s decision, which he described as coming “through the back door.” He noted that the choice to promote Marquez over championship leader Jorge Martin and himself was initially surprising, especially given Martin’s consistent performance. However, Marquez’s blistering pace on a year-old GP23 bike in 2024, coupled with his undeniable star power, swayed Ducati’s management, led by General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna. Bastianini acknowledged Marquez’s dominance in 2025, where the Spaniard has won nine Grands Prix and 12 sprint races in the first 13 rounds, leading the championship. Yet, the Italian remains bitter, stating, “I was fired for him,” pointing to Marquez as the catalyst for his exit.

The decision to sign Marquez was not without its complexities. Ducati faced a difficult choice between Bastianini, Martin, and Marquez for the second factory seat alongside Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time world champion. Dall’Igna admitted that the call was tough from both a professional and human perspective, emphasizing that all three riders deserved a factory ride. However, Marquez’s experience, coupled with fears that he might join a rival manufacturer like KTM or Aprilia, tipped the scales. The move triggered a domino effect: Martin, feeling snubbed, signed with Aprilia, while Bastianini joined Tech3 KTM. The latter’s transition has been far from smooth, with the Italian struggling to adapt to the RC16, currently languishing in 14th place in the 2025 riders’ standings. His frustration has been compounded by comments from an anonymous Ducati team member, who claimed Marquez showed more gratitude in two races than Bastianini did in two years, a remark that has added fuel to the fire.

Bastianini’s relationship with Ducati remains amicable on the surface, with the rider insisting he parted on good terms with Dall’Igna and the team. Yet, his comments reveal a lingering sense of injustice. He pointed to a critical moment at the 2024 French Grand Prix, where a fuel shortage in qualifying cost him a potential front-row start, as a turning point that diminished his chances of retaining his seat. “My hope of staying with Ducati faded in Le Mans,” he said, reflecting on how that incident shifted perceptions of his potential. Despite this, Bastianini’s talent is undeniable, with seven Grand Prix wins and a reputation for delivering on race day, even if his qualifying performances have sometimes been lackluster.

The broader implications of Ducati’s decision extend beyond Bastianini’s personal saga. The team’s choice to prioritize Marquez has been both lauded and criticized. Supporters argue that Marquez’s marketability and proven track record justify the move, with his 2025 performance validating Ducati’s gamble. Critics, however, point to the loss of young talents like Martin and Bastianini, as well as the departure of the Pramac team to Yamaha, as evidence of a risky strategy that weakened Ducati’s once-dominant grid presence. For Bastianini, the move to KTM represents a fresh start, but his comments suggest a lingering desire to prove Ducati wrong. As the 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can rediscover his Gresini-era form and challenge the very team that let him go, particularly the rider he holds responsible for his departure.