Episode #521: Marc Marquez Moves To Ducati

Motorsport101

Well, that took a turn. In one of MotoGP's biggest ever silly-season decisions taken by a factory side, Ducati announced yesterday that Marc Marquez had signed for the factory Ducati team, in a shock reversal from the Bologna factory's higher-ups.

According to Autosport and other reports, Championship leader Jorge Martin was offered the seat after the Catalan GP, but Ducati changed their mind when their suggestion to Marquez of joining Pramac was firmly rejected. Marc made a powerplay, forcing Ducati to make a decision, and pulled the trigger on turning Marc, red.

As a result, Jorge Martin's now heading to Aprilia, in a shock 24-hour lightning turnaround of a deal. So what does it all mean? Why did Ducati change their minds? Just how good has Marquez been so far?

And what does it mean for the rest of the field. Can Jorge Martin bring the #1 plate to Noale? What about the other forgotten man in the field in Enea Bastianini, who looks set to join Tech3 KTM? Will he clash with wonderkid Pedro Acosta?

And what about the rest of silly season? Will Ducati lose Pramac as a customer as Yamaha makes a compelling case to buddy up again? Will Trackhouse take Joe Roberts, or someone like Joan Mir? Where do the GP25's end up if Pramac moves? So many questions, so little time on a huge Motorsport101!

Oh and the Italian GP was mentioned too! (Special thanks to Lyla Carvallo for the wonderful edit, check her out at @lylasthinking on X)