Marc Marquez signs two-year deal with Ducati, to ride with Francesco Bagnaia - 'Happy to take this big step'

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has signed a two-year deal with Ducati and will ride alongside Francesco Bagnaia.

It represents a stunning change of direction from Ducati, who decided not to promote riders' championship leader Jorge Martin from Pramac to its factory squad.

This is reported to have played a telling role in Martin’s decision to join Aprilia.

Marquez has been in impressive form riding a Ducati bike at Gresini during this campaign, and will be promoted to the team's factory squad as of next year.

Marquez's switch means there is no room in the team for Enea Bastianini, with the Italian now widely expected to join rival manufacturer KTM in 2025.

Reacting to the news, Marquez said: "I am very happy to be able to wear the red colours of the factory Ducati team in MotoGP next season.

"Basically, from the first contact with the Desmosedici GP, I enjoyed riding it and adapted well straight away.

"From that moment on, I knew that my goal was to continue this path, to continue to grow, and to move to the team where Francesco Bagnaia has been the world champion for two years in a row.

"I am happy to be able to take this big step in 2025 and grateful for the trust Ducati has placed in me.

"Finally, I want to thank Nadia [Padovani], Carlo [Merlini], Michele [Masini], and the entire Gresini Racing family for opening the door of their team to me at a delicate time in my career.

"Now, we will continue to have fun and give it our all in what remains of the current season, which is my priority right now."

Marquez secured the MotoGP title in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 during his days as a Honda rider, but an injury-plagued past four years has stalled his progress.

Martin is the current championship leader, but Bagnaia boosted his chances of retaining the title he won last year after cruising to victory at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello on Sunday.

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