In the frenetic world of MotoGP, where precision, speed and fairness reign supreme, a storm is breaking out in the Ducati garage. Reigning champion Francesco Bagaia has launched an attack on his team, accusing them of having sidelined him in favor of teammate Marc Marquez. The Italian rider, known for his coolness on the track, has spared himself a recent interview, claiming that Ducati’s apparent favoritism is the main cause of the decline in his top performances since the start of the 2025 season. As the MotoGP circus heads towards another emotional chapter, Bagnaia’s outburst has shaken the paddock, raising questions about the team’s friendships, Ducati’s strategy and the fierce rivalry between two of the sport’s greatest riders.

Bagaia, affectionately known as “Pecco” by his fans, has been a cornerstone of Ducati’s resurgence in recent memory. He clinched the 2022 MotoGP world title on 28 September and has since cemented his reputation as one of the most consistent and calculated riders on the grid. His reign with the Desmosedici has been nothing short of extraordinary, pushing Ducati to new heights in the sport far from being dominated by the Japanese manufacturers. But 2025 has painted a different picture. Where once there was harmony, now there seems to be tension, and Bagnaia points the finger at Ducati management and its handling of Marquez’s arrival.

Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has joined the factory Ducati team at the start of 2025 after a sensational move from Hoda. The Spaniard’s signing was seen as a major coup for Ducati, which has brought together some of the greatest riders in history with some of the most competitive bikes on the grid. However, what was expected to be a one-off partnership quickly turned into a one-off for Bagnaia. “Marquez was in favor of me,” Bagnaia told a heated press conference after finishing fifth in the Austrian Grand Prix. “I gave everything to this team, and now I feel neglected. My performance is laughable.”

The riders appear to be echoing Bagaia’s frustrations. In the first six races of the 2025 season, Marquez has outpaced Bagaia by a significant margin, taking three wins, while Bagaia has yet to stand on the top step of the podium. Analysts point to Ducati’s apparent shift of resources, both technical and strategic, toward optimizing the bike for Marquez’s aggressive, race-focused riding style. Bagaia, whose smoother, more methodical approach used to mesh perfectly with the Desmosedici, is now struggling to adapt to a bike that feels increasingly distant from him. “It’s not the same bike I won the championship with,” he admitted. “The development is going in a direction that suits him, not me.” Ducati team general manager Davide Tardozzi has sought to downplay the controversy, arguing that both riders are treated equally. “We have two credible riders, Pecco and Marc, and our goal is to provide them with the best tools to succeed,” Tardozzi said. “There is no favoritism here, just a commitment not to give up.” Yet, behind closed doors, rumours from the pits suggest otherwise. Mechanics and experts have reportedly seen extra hours on Marc’s bike, while Bagaia’s team appears to be under pressure. For a rider who needs confidence and stability, this perceived imbalance could be the breaking point.

The rivalry between Bagaña and Marquéz is not new. Their on-track battles have produced some of MotoGP’s most thrilling moments, but their relationship off the bike has been cordial – until now. Marquéz, for his part, remained diplomatic in the face of Bagaña’s accusations. “I’m just doing my job,” the 32-year-old said with a shrug. “I push the team, they push me, and we try to win. That’s racing.” Yet Marquez’s trademark grip betrays a confidence that Bagaia appears to have lost, and it’s hard to ignore the Spaniard’s loss at having outdone his rivals, both in terms of performance and competitiveness. For Ducati, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With two of the sport’s biggest stars under its hood, the Italian manufacturer is under pressure to clinch the constructors’ championship while keeping both riders in contention for the title. But as Bagaia’s frustration grows, the risk of implosion looms. Has Caп Ducati found a way to balance the egos and histories of the two champions, or will this international conflict derail their season?

Even the Federations are divided. Social media is ablaze with debates over whether Bagaia’s complaints are justified or simply the complaints of a rider unable to handle the heat. One thing is certain: the 2025 MotoGP season just got a whole lot hotter. As the next race approaches, all eyes will be on the red Ducatis and the feared tension between the riders who ride them.