Marc Marquez is preparing to return to the track for the eagerly awaited Marc Marquez Ducati Valencia test following his shoulder injury sustained almost 100 days ago during the Indonesian Grand Prix. This week, he will ride a specially adapted Ducati Panigale at the Aspar Circuit in the Valencian town of Guadassuar, aiming to regain momentum ahead of his 2025 MotoGP season.
Marquez Returns to Action in Valencia
After a significant recovery period since his early October injury, Marc Marquez is set to climb aboard a road-going Ducati Panigale later this week. The bike has been meticulously modified to provide the best possible feedback for the reigning MotoGP world champion as he prepares for the upcoming season.
The action will unfold on Thursday and Friday at the Aspar Circuit, which has quickly gained a reputation as a favored testing ground for top riders in the championship. Marc will not be alone—his brother Alex Marquez will also participate, riding a similar Ducati Panigale. Several other riders are expected to join the private session, adding further depth to the event.
Demonstrating the seriousness of the occasion, Ducati’s team manager Davide Tardozzi will be present during the initial sessions. The manufacturer is also dispatching technical personnel to Valencia to support Marquez, who is set to take center stage at the official team presentation scheduled for January 19 at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort.
The Road to Recovery and Recent Training
Marquez, after clinching the 2025 MotoGP world championship title in Japan on September 28, sustained his shoulder injury during a collision with Marco Bezzecchi just a week later at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The impact, caused by Bezzecchi hitting Marquez from behind, fractured the Spaniard’s right shoulder—the same side previously injured in 2020.
While his initial diagnosis suggested a minor issue, further evaluation required Marquez to undergo surgery, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Apart from a brief training session on December 23 at the Alcarras circuit on a Ducati MX dirt bike, this upcoming test marks Marquez’s first return to an asphalt circuit since his injury.
For these two days in Valencia, Marquez’s agenda will focus on the Ducati Panigale V2, which is considered less physically demanding than the V4S model. The Panigale V2 boasts a 955cc Superquadro twin-cylinder engine outputting 155 hp and 104 Nm of torque, making it a suitable choice for a rider in recovery. However, Marquez has both the V2 and V4S models available, and may choose between them as needed.
Opportunities Beyond Valencia: Portimao Test Looms
Following the Valencia sessions, Marquez could extend his post-injury testing with another opportunity at the end of January. Ducati’s World Superbike team is organzing a test at the Portimao circuit in Portugal, traditionally open to all affiliated MotoGP riders. During this event, competitors will have access to the Panigale V4S for further preparations ahead of the new season.
This annual test is not without significance. Two years ago, during a similar session at the Algarve Autodrome, then-Pramac rider Franco Morbidelli suffered a serious crash, with both Marquez brothers among the first responders. They assisted Morbidelli and alerted the marshals, who subsequently arranged his transfer to Faro hospital. This history of camaraderie and quick response among the riders highlights the shared risks and mutual support present in MotoGP.
Looking Ahead for Marquez and Ducati
The Valencia test signifies a crucial step in Marc Marquez’s journey back to peak form after surgery, as well as a key milestone in Ducati’s strategy for the upcoming championship. With his brother Alex, team officials like Davide Tardozzi, and technical staff in attendance, all eyes are on Marquez as he assesses his rehabilitation progress and adapts to the Ducati machinery in a real-world setting. The results from this week’s activities could indicate Marquez’s fitness for the next MotoGP campaign and shape Ducati’s approach going into the 2025 season.
