In 2025, there will be at least 11 Grand Prix world titles between the two riders sat on either side of the Ducati Lenovo Team box. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) will be joining Pecco Bagnaia in Bologna red next season, and there’s a good chance that number will be 12 by the time they link up at the Valencia Test in November.
With the news that the eight-time World Champion is Ducati’s chosen one, we thought it would be a nice idea to have a short trip down memory lane and recap some of the fantastic battles we’ve seen between the #93 and the back-to-back King of MotoGP™.
Aragon 2021
Bagnaia vs Marquez, Ducati vs Honda. The duo were in a league of their own at the 2021 Aragon GP as a fascinating fight unfolded between the pair. At this stage, Bagnaia hadn’t won a premier class race – but having fended off Marquez, the Italian claimed the first of his 22 to date (post-Italian GP).
- WATCH: HOW THE WORLD REACTED TO ARAGON'S BATTLE FOR THE AGES
- WATCH: THE STUNNING LATE BATTLE BETWEEN BAGNAIA AND MARQUEZ IN FULL
Portimao 2024
It didn’t take long for the duo to be locked in a heated battle after Marquez had jumped from Honda to Ducati for this season. At the Portuguese GP, both riders crashed following contact at Turn 5 late in the race as the pair fought for a top five place.
- WATCH: ALL ANGLES AND OPINIONS - BAGNAIA AND MARQUEZ' PORTIMAO COLLISION
- WATCH: REWIND - ROCKING THE ROLLERCOASTER
Jerez 2024
The battle we knew would come at some point, but didn’t know when – or how good it would be. With Marquez now on competitive machinery, the Spaniard – on home turf – went head-to-head against the reigning World Champion. And boy were we treated to a spectacle.
- WATCH: HOW THE WORLD HEAD - BAGNAIA VS MARQUEZ IN JEREZ
- WATCH: UNSEEN - "WE HAD A SCORE TO SETTLE FROM THAILAND"
- WATCH: BAGNAIA VS MARQUEZ - MotoGP™ AT ITS VERY BEST
Le Mans 2024
There hasn’t been a lack of great races to feast on in 2024, with Le Mans’ record-breaking crowd enjoying a three-way fight for victory between Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia and Marquez. On the final lap, Marquez left it late to lunge up the inside of the #1 to pinch P2 away from his future teammate.
- WATCH: HOW THE WORLD HEARD - MARTIN VS MARQUEZ VS BAGNAIA
- WATCH: LAST LAP - MARTIN VS MARQUEZ VS BAGNAIA
- WATCH: UNSEEN - "MARC IS BACK!"
With both riders well in the 2024 title hunt, we can expect plenty more memorable on-track scraps between the two multiple World Champions in the years to come. First in 2024, then as teammates in 2025 and beyond. Bring it on.