‘Do not fall into Marquez’s traps’

MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has suggested his protege Francesco Bagnaia to ‘not fall into Marc Marquez’s traps’ as the 2 pair up on the manufacturing facility Ducati staff this 12 months.

Double champion Bagnaia is ready to face his greatest problem in MotoGP in 2025, with former Honda star Marquez becoming a member of him as a team-mate after a starring efficiency with Gresini Racing in 2025.

Though Bagnaia is properly established inside the ranks at Ducati, with even Marquez admitting that it’s only pure that he has the “first say” in necessary issues, the Spaniard’s very arrival has the potential to disrupt the hierarchy on the Borgo Panigale marque.

Whereas Ducati itself has expressed confidence in its potential to handle two A-list riders in its line-up, Rossi has warned Bagnaia towards the techniques Marquez may make use of with a purpose to win a seventh premier class title.

“There are days when it’s important to win and days when it’s important to deliver factors dwelling. [Bagnaia] has by no means completed that, in any other case he would have received even the third world championship,” Rossi informed Corriere della Sera, earlier than advising Bagnaia: “Do not fall into traps, thoughts video games, do not let your self be conditioned by your team-mate. Within the duels, have enjoyable and take a look at the not possible.”

That is the second piece of recommendation Rossi has given his academy graduate within the winter break, having beforehand informed him he must extract one other 5 p.c of efficiency to get the higher of Marquez in 2025.

“The Ducati manufacturing facility staff riders are those to beat,” he stated final month. “Pecco may be very charged up as a result of he needs to redeem himself from final 12 months’s defeat, so let’s hope he can provide that 5 p.c extra.”

Rossi was concerned in a bitter rivalry with Marquez within the final decade and nonetheless claims the Spaniard conspired towards him in his 2015 title battle with Jorge Lorenzo.

Whereas Rossi and Marquez are but to place their variations apart, the Italian has managed to fix his relationship with a number of of his former rivals, together with Lorenzo and Casey Stoner –  with the 2 even visiting his well-known ranch in Tavullia.

Talking on the matter, Rossi added: “Racing towards one other rider brings with it a really robust sporting hatred. However while you depart it behind, there’s respect for individuals who have shared feelings and tensions with you. It is the identical with Stoner.

“After I see Sete Gibernau or Jorge Lorenzo once more, I really feel pleasure. Opponents who’ve by no means exceeded a sure restrict of aggressiveness.”

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha and Sete Gibernau, Suzuki

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs

Photographs from the Sepang Shakedown