Marquez’s Crew Chief Denies Ducati Favoring Bagnaia

The MotoGP 2025 world has once again been stirred by hot issues regarding Ducati’s dominance this season. Alongside the impressive performance of Marc Marquez, who has managed to rival and even surpass his teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, accusations have surfaced that Ducati is giving special treatment to the Spanish rider. Some analysts and fans believe there are signs of favoritism that have put the internal dynamics of the team under public scrutiny.

This issue arose because Marc Marquez, who only joined the Ducati Lenovo Team this season, was able to quickly adapt and deliver remarkable performances. Meanwhile, Bagnaia, the defending world champion, is seen as being under pressure due to Marquez’s consistent performance on track.

Statement from Marc Marquez’s Crew Chief

Responding to the rumors, Marco Rigamonti, crew chief of Marc Marquez, spoke up. He firmly denied the allegations that Ducati was giving preferential treatment to his rider over Francesco Bagnaia. According to him, all riders in the team have equal access to data, technology, and technical support from the factory.

“There is no such thing as favoritism. All data is shared, and every Ducati rider receives equal support. The performance differences on track are purely the result of each rider’s hard work and skills,” said Rigamonti (Okezone, August 31).

He stressed that the recent success of Marc Marquez was not the result of Ducati’s intervention to give him an advantage, but rather the eight-time world champion’s ability to understand the bike and adapt to racing strategies.

Clarification on Data and Technology

One of the points often highlighted by the public is the suspicion that Marc Marquez was receiving a bike with superior specifications or faster access to data compared to Francesco Bagnaia. However, Rigamonti flatly rejected these claims.

According to him, Ducati has an open data-sharing system among all riders. Both Marquez and Bagnaia, as well as other riders from Ducati’s satellite teams, can study each other’s telemetry and technical notes. This is actually what makes Ducati superior to other manufacturers, as everyone in the team can learn from each other and improve their weaknesses.

“Marc does not get a special bike. He uses the same package as Bagnaia. The difference lies in Marc’s riding style, which allows him to maximize the bike’s potential under various conditions,” Rigamonti added (iNews.id, August 31).

Relationship with Francesco Bagnaia

In addition to addressing favoritism issues, Rigamonti also touched on the relationship between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. He assured that while they compete fiercely on track, off-track they maintain good communication. Rivalry, he said, is only part of the normal competition in motorcycle racing.

“There are no personal issues between Marc and Pecco (Bagnaia’s nickname). In the paddock, they can still talk, discuss, and even joke around. Rivalry only exists on track; outside of it, their relationship remains professional and healthy,” said Rigamonti (RCTI Plus, August 31).

With this clarification, he hoped the public would not blow the issue out of proportion. For him, rivalry actually enhances the team’s quality as each rider strives to perform better.

Impact of the Issue on Ducati

Although Rigamonti has denied the claims, the favoritism issue temporarily made Ducati’s paddock the center of media attention. Some analysts argue that if not handled properly, such rumors could spark internal friction and affect riders’ focus.

So far, however, both Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have shown high professionalism. They remain focused on racing and maintaining their performance, despite mounting public pressure.

Rigamonti also emphasized that the entire team remains solid. There are no signs of division or significant internal tension. According to him, technical cooperation runs normally, and communication between crew members and riders remains smooth.

Marquez and His Quick Adaptation

One of the reasons the favoritism issue surfaced is the public’s amazement at how quickly Marc Marquez has adapted to the Desmosedici GP25. Many riders usually need more time to understand the characteristics of a Ducati bike.

As an experienced rider with an aggressive style, Marquez has managed to control the bike in a unique way. He doesn’t just rely on technical data but also on racing instincts honed over years. This has made him appear superior in several races compared to Bagnaia.

With such achievements, some believe there must be non-technical factors at play. But Rigamonti’s clarification confirms that all of Marquez’s success is purely the result of his own hard work, not because Ducati gave him any special privileges.

Bagnaia Under Pressure

On the other hand, Francesco Bagnaia is undeniably under immense pressure. As the reigning world champion, he is expected to maintain his dominance. Yet the arrival of Marc Marquez, who is instantly competitive, has made Bagnaia’s situation even more challenging.

Nevertheless, Bagnaia is known for his composure and consistency. Many observers believe that his internal rivalry with Marquez could actually motivate him to improve his performance.

For Ducati, having two world-class riders like Bagnaia and Marquez is a huge advantage. Their rivalry is expected to push the development of the bike and racing strategies even further.

Public and Media Reactions

Public responses to this issue have been mixed. Some fans support Marc Marquez, seeing him as a rider who deserves great results due to hard work. Others, however, think Ducati should ensure more balance to prevent potential internal conflicts.

The media has also been abuzz about this rivalry, predicting the duel between Marquez and Bagnaia as one of the main narratives of MotoGP 2025. Allegations of favoritism are merely part of the drama often seen in the world of sports.

From Marco Rigamonti’s clarification, it is clear that Ducati is not practicing favoritism between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. Marquez’s impressive performance is purely the result of individual ability, while Bagnaia remains a vital pillar of Ducati’s grand project in MotoGP.

Their rivalry will only add to the competition’s appeal and improve the overall quality of the team. Rigamonti concluded by stressing that despite the fierce rivalry, personal relationships remain good and the atmosphere within Ducati remains solid.