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As Marc Marquez prepares for his debut as a Ducati rider, we revisit the other times modern-era MotoGP giants swapped manufacturers
At the peak of MotoGP’s ‘aliens’ era, Marc Marquez made a bold move in 2024 by swapping his Honda for a Gresini-run year-old Ducati. This was a significant change that had the potential to reshape the competitive landscape of the premier class. However, it was a tough challenge for Marquez, as he had to adapt to a complicated bike after a string of injuries during his time at Ducati.
Another memorable team switch in MotoGP was Jorge Lorenzo’s move to Honda. Despite the hype surrounding the pairing of Lorenzo and Marquez, it was clear that Lorenzo couldn’t replicate Marquez’s success immediately. His struggles with the Honda bike, coupled with injuries, eventually led to his retirement from the sport.
Valentino Rossi’s move to Ducati was unique in that it was seen as an opportunity to fulfill an Italian fairytale. Rossi, who had lost some of his shine at Yamaha, saw this switch as a chance to revive his career and achieve something legendary with Ducati. However, it quickly became apparent that the bike was difficult to handle, and Rossi faced challenges in adapting to its nature.
These team switches highlight the risks and challenges faced by riders when making significant changes in MotoGP. It takes time and effort to adapt to new bikes and teams, and success is never guaranteed.
