“I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES” Shocking results from Marc Marquez and Ducati’s closed practice session before the Catalunya GP leave boss Gigi Dall’igna with a difficult decision
The build-up to the Catalunya Grand Prix has taken an unexpected turn after a private test session between Marc Márquez and Ducati produced a result so surprising that even the most seasoned members of the paddock admitted they were left stunned. Eyewitnesses present at the closed-door event reported that the eight-time world champion delivered a performance that not only exceeded internal expectations but also threw Ducati’s future strategy into chaos. One insider went so far as to describe the moment by repeating the phrase that has now gone viral in MotoGP circles: “I can’t believe my eyes.”
The test, held under tight secrecy at a Spanish circuit just days before the Catalunya GP, was intended to be a controlled evaluation of Márquez’s adaptability to the newest Ducati prototype. With temperatures high and conditions nearly identical to what is expected in Barcelona, the session was designed to provide clear answers for the Italian factory on set-up options, tire management, and electronic configurations. What no one predicted was the level of speed and consistency Márquez demonstrated across multiple stints. According to leaked timing sheets, the Spaniard lapped consistently faster than both Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín had managed during their recent sessions, despite running with similar fuel loads and tire compounds.
What makes the story even more compelling is that Márquez reportedly achieved these times with minimal adjustments, showing a natural synergy with the machine that took many by surprise. For a rider who only joined Ducati’s ranks this season, the pace displayed was nothing short of remarkable. Engineers within the team whispered that the data collected revealed cornering stability and exit drive from Márquez that aligned almost perfectly with the factory’s ideal parameters. In other words, Ducati may have just witnessed the kind of rider-bike harmony that is rare even at the highest levels of the sport.
The shockwaves from this test have now reached the highest echelons of Ducati management. Gigi Dall’Igna, the technical mastermind and general manager of Ducati Corse, was said to be visibly torn during post-test debriefings. His dilemma is clear: how to balance a team that already has a two-time world champion in Bagnaia, a formidable talent in Martín, and now the undeniable resurgence of Márquez. Sources close to the decision-making process suggest that Ducati had originally been leaning toward building its long-term project around Bagnaia, with Martín seen as a strong secondary pillar. But Márquez’s explosive pace has complicated everything, pushing Dall’Igna into what some are calling the most difficult decision of his career.
The situation is not just about speed; it is also political. Márquez brings with him a legion of fans and unparalleled commercial weight. His presence within Ducati could alter sponsor dynamics, fan allegiances, and the overall image of the team. At the same time, giving Márquez too much prominence risks unsettling the carefully balanced ecosystem that Ducati has worked hard to build in recent years. There is already talk of possible tension in the garage if Bagnaia feels his status as the team’s clear number one is threatened.
For Márquez himself, the test may have been less about politics and more about pure riding. After enduring years of injuries and struggles with an underperforming Honda, the Spaniard appears rejuvenated. His body language after the session, described by witnesses as relaxed and almost playful, suggested a rider rediscovering the joy of racing. “It felt natural, like the bike was an extension of me,” he was quoted as saying privately to his crew. Those words, coupled with the raw data, underline just how significant this moment might be in shaping not only Ducati’s future but also the trajectory of the MotoGP championship itself.
As the Catalunya GP approaches, speculation is rampant. Will Dall’Igna make a bold call and restructure the hierarchy to give Márquez equal footing, or even priority, over Bagnaia and Martín? Or will he attempt to contain the situation, keeping the status quo intact while trying to manage Márquez’s surge behind closed doors? Whatever the decision, it will carry enormous consequences, both on and off the track.
For fans, the idea of a fully unleashed Marc Márquez on a Ducati is both thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because it promises the kind of fireworks MotoGP has not seen in years. Terrifying because it could potentially tilt the competitive balance of the entire championship, leaving rivals scrambling to catch up. As one paddock veteran summed it up: “If Marc really is this fast already, then the rest of the season just became a completely different story.”
In the end, the private test that was supposed to be a quiet technical exercise has instead become the center of the MotoGP universe. With the words “I can’t believe my eyes” echoing across the paddock, all attention now shifts to Gigi Dall’Igna, the man who must decide whether to embrace this shocking new reality or try to contain it. The Catalunya GP will not only be a race for points but also a stage where Ducati’s future direction begins to take shape under immense pressure. And as the dust settles, one thing is certain: the drama unfolding behind the garage doors may prove just as gripping as anything that happens on the track.
