Explained: How Marc Marquez is affecting the WorldSBK silly season

With a decision on his future potentially coming at this weekend’s Japanese MotoGP, Marc Marquez could also help shape the WorldSBK grid for 2024.
Marc Marquez, MotoGP race, Indian MotoGP, 24 September
Marc Marquez, MotoGP race, Indian MotoGP, 24 September

🉐Marquez is set to choose between staying with Repsol Honda or moving to Gresini Duc🉐ati to join his brother Alex. 

With t𒁏he latter thought to be the most realistic outcome, Marquez’s move could have a big impact on how the MotoGP and WorldSBK grids take shape. 

If Marquez moves the first ripple effect would involve Johꦓann Zarco, as the soon-to-be Honda rider would swap LCR for the Repsol colꦦours.

That would free Iker Lecuona, who is currently with Team HRC, t🌞o ma♑ke a switch to LCR Honda alongside Takaaki Nakagami who was recently retained for a seventh season with the team.

Marquez joining Ducati would be one of the biggest ride𒁏r switches of all-time. The eight world champion would be catapulted straight back into contention for vict🐽ories and possibly the championship in 2024. 

But it could have🍃 a big impact on race winner in WorldSBK Michael Rinaldi. 

Rinaldi, who took the fifth Superbike win of his career at last weekend’s Aragon round after getting the better of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan 𓃲Rea, is thought to be in contention for💎 two seats.

One of those is at Motocorsa Ducati should Axel Bassani complete his expected move to Kawasaki, but the other is Honda which 𒊎is why Marquez could play a big role.

Moving to Honda wou༒ld allow Rinaldi the chance to stay with a full factory team, however, Leon Camier admitted in Aragon that the Japanese brand would like to continue with their current line-up of Lecuona and Xavi Vierge next year.

If Marquez stay▨s put in MotoGP then Rinaldi is more likely to see his future remain with Ducati.

But if M🅰arquez completes a shock switch to Ducati, Rinaldi will then become the prime focus for Team HRC.

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