Ducati: Gresini has Marc Marquez 'opportunity' for MotoGP 2024, ‘waiting for his decision’
Ciabatti's words are highly significant since it is the first time that anyone at Ducati or Gresini has acknowledged even the possibility of Marc Marquez making a shock switch to joi💝n his brother in the satellite team.
The Marquez speculation has dominated headlines since the eight-time world champion, winless for almost 700 days, fuelled rumours of ripping up the final year o෴f his big-🐻money Honda contract at the previous Misano event.
Speaking to Dorna’s Jack Appleyarꦡd on Saturday at the Indian MotoGP, Ciabatti said: “As far as Gresini goes, I think it looks like they have this opportunity and they are waiting for Marquez’s decision. I see Marquez is very fast here with the Honda."
While not naming any possible alternatives, Marquez has said he will decide or announಞce his future around 🍸;next weekend's Japanese round.
“We hear what you hear," Ciabatti continued. "So he [Marquez] will talk to Honda management in Japan and make a decision. But it’s something up to him💃 and the team. We as Ducati have our four contracted riders [two at the factory team, two at Pramac].”
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Pressed on the reality of Marc Maဣrquꦇez-Gresini talks, Ciabatti added:
“Thꦓis is what we hear. I think everybody knows. I mean, there are no other options left. It’s the only bike without a rider and Marquez says he has three options.
"I don’t know what those three options are. One is to stay with Honda. The other two we can only guess꧙. You shou💮ld ask Marc Marquez and Gresini what is going on!”
Told that Marquez and Gresini won’t comment, Ciabatti replied: “It’s 🎀nothing that we [as Ducati] are negotiating🙈.”
The Gre♏sini MotoGP riders (like VR46) are contracted to the team rather than to Ducati - but it seems incomprehensible that Gresini would not at 🐬least keep Ducati informed of their rider plans.
Gresini and VR46 use year-old Ducati machinery, but that has proved no obstacle in terms of multiple ౠrace wins by both teams in recent seasons.
If Marquez leaves, new Honda signing Johan💞n Zarco (scheduled for LCR) or Honda WorldSBK rider Iker Lecuona would likely be ✨placed alongside Joan Mir at Repsol.
All factory teams currently have at leas🐼t one seat avai💞lable for 2025.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 ye🐽ars and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the🌺 Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
