P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ducati has named who will step in for Marc Marquez at the Australian MotoGP
Ducati has announced that test rider Michele Pirro will replace the injured Marc Marquez for the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix, but is yet to confirm who will ride in his place in Malaysia. Marc Marquez suffered a collarbone injury following a collision with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap of last weekend’s Indonesian Grand Prix. The 32-year-old has a fracture at the base of the coracoid process and a ligament injury to his right shoulder, requiring him to sit out the upcoming Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix. Now, Michele Pirro will make his race debut in 2025 as Marquez’s replacement next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. Ducati has indicated that Pirro can only race as a replacement due to new concession rules. The door remains open for World Superbike frontrunner Nicolo Bulega to possibly debut at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Ducati might also consider riders like Alvaro Bautista, Andrea Iannone, and Danilo Petrucci for a MotoGP debut.
