After clinching an emphatic win at Mugello—a circuit Marc Márquez had approached with low expectations due to its layout traditionally working against his strengths—the MotoGP championship leader sat down with Jorge Lorenzo for a chat on DAZN.
During their conversation, Márquez opened up about the major changes he’s made to his riding style since joining the Gresini Ducati team in 2024. After spending more than a decade with Honda (excluding his injury-plagued 2020 season), the switch to Ducati demanded key adaptations that have since fueled his standout performances aboard the 2025 factory-spec bike.
“The best rider on the best bike—it’s a simple formula,” Lorenzo began. “Even here at Mugello, a track that’s historically tough for you with its right-hand turns, your dominance is clear. You’ve mastered tire management—your smooth style, especially how you exit corners upright with such precise throttle control and body positioning, is impressive. Can you explain how your style has evolved to handle tire wear better?”
Márquez, whose Honda years were defined by an aggressive, front-end-reliant approach despite rear-end instability, explained:
“Last year, transitioning to Ducati after ten years on a different bike was a big change. The Ducati demands a different way of riding. Its DNA hasn’t changed—you still need to ride it smoothly, with more focus on the rear, and less on forcing the front. I’ve been making steady progress in adapting, especially in qualifying and sprint races, where I lacked that spark last season.”
He added: “Now, I’ve managed to bring that explosiveness into full-race scenarios, particularly in the closing laps. That’s where I feel strongest now,” said the current MotoGP leader.
“Winning at Mugello feels great—especially because I came here expecting only to limit the damage. But by Saturday, I realized victory was within reach, and we went all in. Pecco [Bagnaia] started very aggressively, but I just kept telling myself: ‘It’s a long race. Stay calm,’” Márquez shared, fully aware he’s now thriving on a bike that once seemed completely at odds with his style.
As Jorge Lorenzo summed it up: “The best rider on the best bike.” And the result is proof.
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