Marc Marquez heads into the French MotoGP at Le Mans this weekend with vital Ducati adjustments under review, aiming to bounce back after a challenging Spanish Grand Prix. The factory Ducati rider tested modifications in Jerez just 24 hours after his latest crash, seeking improvements mainly focused on front-end feel and experimenting with an older swingarm. Despite uncertainty about which changes will be implemented, Marquez remains determined to close the single-point gap behind his brother Alex Marquez in the MotoGP standings.
Entering the race just one point behind Alex, Marc Marquez’s position reflects a season hindered by two costly errors—first crashing while leading in America and then falling again in Spain, which left him pointless in the last round. The one-day Jerez test provided an opportunity to refine his GP25’s setup, concentrating on subtle improvements rather than radical upgrades.
“We need to be careful about what we tried. It’s true that we didn’t try big things,”
Marquez explained.
“Ducati is focused on small details to improve for the future. All that I tried, the targets, were there. We keep improving the bike.”
Marquez’s efforts at Jerez saw him topping the timesheets in both sessions, signaling potential momentum as he prepares for a crucial weekend in France. He acknowledges the importance of patience, saying,
“With my base bike, I felt okay. We introduced small details. Let’s see if we will introduce them at the next race or if we will wait…”
This cautious optimism highlights the subtle but critical development approach Ducati is taking as the championship intensifies.
Alongside Marc, teammate Francesco Bagnaia remains a strong contender despite trailing the leader by 20 points after a slower start. Ducati team principal Davide Tardozzi praised how both riders collaborate effectively to enhance the factory bike’s performance, emphasizing the teamwork fueling ongoing progress. Marc added further insight about the testing session:
“For me, it was to try to keep the feeling. That’s what we did. We tried small things with the set-up for future races. The tendency is that I struggle with the same points. The speed was there, it’s just trying to control myself, and not do mistakes. The test was good. I was clear about what I need for the future.”
As Marc Marquez Ducati tweaks await their debut at Le Mans, the French MotoGP could prove to be a turning point. With title rivals within close reach, the subtle technical updates alongside refined control may give Marquez the edge he needs to rebound from recent setbacks. The coming race will test not only his raw pace but also his ability to harness improvements safely, setting the stage for an intense showdown where every detail counts.
