Carmelo Ezpeleta on Marc Marquez’s chances at Ducati: ‘I’m sure he will be competitive’

The six-time MotoGP champion has endured a torrid time with Honda in recent seasons, but Marc Marquez is now being tipped for great things after a switch to Ducati.

Marquez, who joined his brother Alex at Gresini, has not only joined Ducati, but he’s moved to one of the most prolific satellite teams of the last two years. 

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Winners four times with Enea Bastianini in 2022, Alex Marquez then became a two-time sprint winner for the Italian team in 2023.

And Ezpeleta is convinced Marc Marquez will be back fighting for major results with the Italian brand.

Speaking to Europa press, Ezpeleta said: "Marc Marquez is one of the best riders in the history of motorcycling.

“Being able to have the possibility of him being back in the lead and fighting will be another incentive. Obviously, he is missed. I am absolutely sure that Marc will be competitive.”

Along with Marquez’s move to Ducati, another big chance for 2024 is the concessions rule that will hugely benefit the likes of Honda and Yamaha.

After failing to develop their bikes with the same speed and effectiveness, the two Japanese brands have been given more testing time, while they can also develop more than their competitors.

The ones who will suffer the most are Ducati due to their stunning performance in 2023. KTM and Aprilia, although not as much as Honda and Yamaha, will also benefit from the new concession rules.

And speaking about this, Ezpeleta added: “The COVID-19 pandemic had a much stronger impact in Japan than in Europe. It had nothing to do with it.

“Japan stopped completely and work continued in Europe, and that has caused differences that have returned the concessions to allow them to make up for lost time.

“I am sure that, one, they will return and, two, that it is fair because Honda and Yamaha did the same in their day.

“When they won the World Championship, they were generous enough to be able to give concessions that allowed the other brands, first Ducati, and then Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia, to be competitive again.”