Ducati MotoGP boss reveals a surprising twist behind Marc Marquez's injury setback
The Ducati general manager, Gigi Dall'Igna, sheds light on a lesser-known factor behind Marc Marquez's recent injury setback. While the 32-year-old's injury is unfortunate, Dall'Igna suggests that the inability to test for 2026 in the final MotoGP rounds of 2025 has been a significant contributing factor.
Marquez, a factory Ducati rider, had just secured his seventh premier class title at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking a historic moment. However, with the season still in full swing, Marquez and Ducati were already looking ahead to the future, planning to use the remaining races for testing. But fate had other plans.
During the Indonesian Grand Prix, Marquez's right shoulder suffered a severe injury in a collision with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap. This injury has forced Marquez to undergo surgery and has kept him out of the remaining races for the season.
Dall'Igna acknowledges the unfortunate circumstances, stating, "He knows that he needs to accept this, and he will follow the reasonable path that he has to do." He further elaborates, "Before the crash, the plan was to try to develop something during the final races of 2025. This is not possible at the moment. This is the main problem of this accident."
The team's reliance on Pecco Bagnaia to fill this testing role has been inconsistent, making it challenging to compensate for Marquez's absence. As a result, Ducati has decided to replace Marquez with World Superbike star Nicolo Bulega for the final two rounds of the season, starting in Portugal.
Marquez's recovery timeline remains uncertain, but MotoGP medical director Dr. Angel Charte emphasizes the importance of a full recovery before returning to the track. This setback raises questions about the impact of testing on rider performance and the potential consequences of pushing the boundaries of the sport.
This intriguing revelation invites further discussion and invites readers to ponder the delicate balance between pushing the limits and ensuring rider safety in the world of MotoGP.
