Marc Márquez returned to winning form at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, igniting celebrations within the Ducati garage that highlighted the deep personal and professional bond between the eight-time world champion and team manager Davide Tardozzi.
The emotional reunion was captured in an image shared by Spanish media, showing Tardozzi embracing Márquez in the parc fermé after the race. The gesture underscored years of relationship-building between the Italian executive and the Spanish rider, dating back to Márquez’s debut in Qatar in 2013 aboard a Honda.
Tardozzi, who has long admired Márquez’s talent, reportedly told those close to him years ago that the Spaniard would grow the greatest of all time. That sentiment resurfaced in 2024 when Ducati successfully signed Márquez after his departure from Honda, marking the conclude of a historic but strained partnership with the Japanese manufacturer.
According to verified reports, Márquez’s exit from Honda at the end of the 2023 season followed years of declining competitiveness with the RC213V, as Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM advanced whereas Honda stagnated. The 2023 campaign proved especially difficult for Márquez, marked by injuries, frustration, and performances far below his usual standard.
A turning point came at the Sachsenring weekend that year, where Márquez suffered up to five crashes across one of his traditionally strong circuits before being forced to withdraw from the Sunday race.
Since joining Ducati, Márquez has brought valuable experience to the team. In 2024, he secured three race victories and finished third in the world championship standings, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level despite adapting to a modern machine.
Tardozzi has consistently praised Márquez’s contributions, noting in previous statements that “in some areas, Marc is above everyone else.” He highlighted the complementary styles of Márquez and factory teammate Francesco Bagnaia, describing Bagnaia as “unbeatable in braking” while emphasizing how their combined strengths elevate the entire Ducati effort.
The Ducati Lenovo team entered the 2025 season with high expectations surrounding the Bagnaia-Márquez pairing, viewing it as a dream duo capable of challenging for supremacy. Tardozzi affirmed confidence in the squad, stating they had “the two best riders and the best bike,” which allowed them to approach competition without fear.
Although the 2026 season has seen Ducati endure a podium drought stretching back to the previous year’s Japanese Grand Prix — with neither Márquez nor Bagnaia reaching the Sunday rostrum in the opening rounds — signs of resurgence emerged at Jerez. Friday practice showed strong pace, particularly from Alex Márquez, who led the timesheets and outperformed Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi by half a second.
Tardozzi addressed the team’s recent struggles with defiance, insisting Ducati had “never had a real crisis” while acknowledging Aprilia’s significant strides in performance. He pointed to ongoing, constructive discussions about bike modifications that had benefited both factory and satellite teams, citing Gresini’s improved showing as evidence.
An electronics update introduced to improve the GP26’s braking behavior had been tested, though riders including Alex Márquez and Bagnaia reported that core issues persisted despite the changes.
The celebration in Jerez reflected more than just a race result; it symbolized the culmination of a long-held vision between Tardozzi and Márquez. Their connection, forged over a decade of mutual respect and shared ambition, reached a visible peak in the emotional embrace that followed Márquez’s strong performance.
As the MotoGP season progresses, all eyes will remain on how Márquez continues to adapt to the Ducati package and whether the early signs of competitiveness at Jerez can translate into sustained success for the Italian manufacturer.
For continued updates on Márquez’s journey with Ducati and the latest developments in the MotoGP world championship, stay tuned to trusted motorsport sources and official series communications.
