After much speculation, Marc Marquez will officially ride as a factory Ducati rider in 2025. Who could have ever thought they would see that? The Spaniard is a Repsol Honda legend, winning six premier class titles with the Japanese outfit during an 11 year stint, but things soured as RC213V struggled and Marquez endeavoured to fight at the business end of things. It’s certainly been a whirlwind 12 months - relive the major moments that transformed the career of rider #93.

• From the Inside: The Ducati guessing game takes a twist

 June 18, 2023: Nightmare at Sachsenring

After enduring struggles with the RC213V throughout the season, Marc Marquez faced one of the most challenging weekends of his career at his beloved Sachsenring circuit. A dramatic crash involving Johann Zarco (Castrol LCR Honda) on Friday set the tone for the turmoil to come. With three additional crashes during the qualifying session and a modest eleventh-place finish in the Tissot Sprint on Saturday, Marquez returned to the track for Sunday morning's Warm Up only to suffer yet another crash, marking his fifth of the weekend.

The accumulation of incidents proved too much for the Honda rider. Despite being declared fit to compete, Marquez opted to pull out of the German GP – a race had dominated by winning all eight premier class editions he had previously competed in.

Marquez encountered further setbacks the following weekend in Assen, where he experienced two additional crashes, and he also opted not to start on Sunday at the Cathedral of Speed.

October 4, 2023: Departure from Honda 

Following an 11-year partnership that yielded six MotoGP™ titles, 59 victories, 101 podium finishes, and 64 pole positions, Honda and Marc Marquez reached a mutual decision to part ways after the 2023 season. The eight-time World Champion embarked on a new chapter in his career, bracing himself for fresh challenges and adventures ahead.

October 12, 2023: Signing with Gresini

A mere eight days later, the announcement reverberated across the MotoGP™ paddock: Marc Marquez would ride a Ducati for Gresini in 2024. The revelation ignited excitement among fans and insiders alike, eager to witness the #93 take on the formidable bike that has dominated on track in recent campaigns. Paired with brother Alex, anticipation soared, particularly for Marquez's debut on the Desmosedici, which would come in Valencia at the end of the year.

November 28, 2023: Debut with Ducati 

As a host of riders changed bikes and colours on the opening day of the 2024 season, all eyes were firmly focused on one garage. A herd of media gathered outside of the Gresini box where the #93 was marked above the door with eager anticipation, and they weren’t left disappointed.

Having endured a challenging season marred by a staggering 29 crashes—a record in 2023—across just nine Grands Prix, with only one podium, one pole position, and a 14^th place finish in the World Championship, the Catalan phenomenon immediately bonded with the Desmosedici.

Setting the fourth-best time in the Test, Marquez's performance left fans waiting with bated breath for the new season, while a picture painted a thousand words after his first laps with the Ducati.

March 23, 2024: First medal in a Tissot Sprint

Following a commendable P4 finish in the opening race in Qatar, Marquez snagged his first silverware with Gresini by taking second place in the Tissot Sprint in Portimao. As he continued to acclimatise to the GP23, his confidence soared, hinting at his resurgence as a serious contender once again.

April 28, 2024: First Sunday podium

In Jerez, Marquez clinched his maiden pole position with Ducati. Following a gripping duel with Pecco Bagnaia for victory on Sunday, the Spaniard crossed the finish line in second place, securing his debut Grand Prix podium with the Italian marque. Continuing his momentum, he claimed second position in France and followed it up with a third-place finish in Catalunya. These performances signaled Marquez’ aspirations to join the Ducati factory team for 2025, joining a list of candidates that already included Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

June 3, 2024: Martin signs with Aprilia

Initially considered the frontrunner for the coveted spot alongside Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Aprilia shocked the rider market when they announced their union from 2025 following the Mugello Test. This unexpected signing caused a significant stir, particularly hinting that Ducati may have already reached a decision regarding their lineup.

June 5, 2024: Marc Marquez joins the Ducati factory team 

Just days after Martin's bombshell announcement, Ducati's conundrum found resolution as Márquez penned a deal with the factory team. In the span of a year, the #93 transitioned from a tumultuous weekend in Germany with a Honda that proved challenging to tame, to securing a coveted spot alongside the reigning World Champion within the paddock's most sought-after team.