Marco Rigamonti, the crew chief of eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez, has opened up about an unexpected aspect of their collaboration since joining forces at the beginning of the 2025 MotoGP season. Rigamonti highlights Marc Marquez’s surprising light-hearted team character as a key element that has stood out throughout their partnership so far.
After being promoted to the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, Marquez teamed up with Rigamonti, who had previously worked as crew chief for Enea Bastianini in 2024. This pairing came with high expectations, especially given the challenges typically involved when a rider of Marquez’s calibre and a new crew chief try to build a working relationship.
Immediate Success and Strong Partnership on the Track
The collaboration has swiftly borne fruit during the 2025 season, with Marquez securing 11 victories out of 16 races over eight rounds, establishing a commanding lead in the championship standings. Rigamonti attributes this rapid success partly to Marquez’s proactive and collaborative mindset, particularly his keen interest in understanding technical data to enhance performance.
Reflecting on his appointment, Rigamonti recalled his initial feelings:
“I felt very happy [when I was chosen to be Marquez’s crew chief] because I felt that Ducati valued me because if they choose me to work with a rider like Marc it’s for a reason,”
He added,
“Secondly, I was very excited to be able to work with a rider of Marc’s calibre, to understand how he works, how he approaches people, the team. I was curious to know how to work with a pilot of this caliber. On the side of concerns, nothing.”
Rigamonti emphasized the importance of remaining calm and focused when working with a rider of this calibre, stating that worries do not help and instead disrupt effective teamwork.
Technical Understanding Fuels Their Effective Collaboration
Rigamonti praises Marquez’s technical skills and communication, noting that he provides clear directions and is deeply engaged with the performance data. The Spaniard is not only a fierce competitor on the track but also an astute technician who contributes significantly to bike adjustments and strategy.
“He gives you directions, he’s very good at explaining, he’s very good at looking at the data. Now I can tell you that it’s also good technically because you’re dealing with someone who not only rides like a beast, but also understands.”
This thorough understanding allows the team to make continuous improvements based on Marquez’s feedback, creating a dynamic and responsive environment.
“He gives you the instructions and you can improve based on what he tells you.”
Marquez’s Unexpected Light-Hearted Personality Strengthens the Team
Beyond technical skills, Rigamonti was surprised by the light-hearted and humble character Marquez brings to the team. Contrary to expectations of a distant, high-profile athlete, Marquez maintains a down-to-earth approach that fosters camaraderie and mutual respect.
Rigamonti described Marquez as someone who openly acknowledges mistakes and shows appreciation toward everyone involved. His approachable nature and willingness to engage personally with team members create a positive atmosphere.
He explained,
“Character, character with people, You’re expecting a VIP pilot, someone who has won everything. So you think it’s perfect but you’re wrong. On the other hand, he is always saying that he is wrong, that he has made a mistake, that he has not given you the right directions, he greets everyone, he thanks everyone…”
Rigamonti further praised Marquez’s team spirit and good humor:
“It has to be that way but it is not that frequent. Character is what has surprised me the most, wanting to work as a team. That’s the most beautiful thing from a human point of view, since you can work with it. Then he also likes to laugh and joke around, so we also enjoy working with him from a human point of view.”
Combining Driving Excellence with High Technical Acumen
In addition to his easygoing personality, Marquez’s deep technical insight continues to impress. Rigamonti challenged the notion that Marquez’s skill is simply natural talent without technical input, highlighting that Marquez matches strong riding with detailed understanding.
He said,
“Then, from a driving point of view, what surprised me is how much he understands technically. A lot of people say that a rider who is as good as him is good at everything. But actually, I think he’s good at everything and gives you 100% of what you give him, but it’s not that he doesn’t understand and he just goes fast.”
This balance of intense riding ability combined with a comprehensive grasp of mechanics and data sets Marquez apart from his peers and enhances the entire Ducati Lenovo Team’s performance.
Future Outlook for Marquez and His Team
The strong bond between Marc Marquez and Marco Rigamonti represents a promising foundation as the 2025 MotoGP season progresses. Their mutual respect, combined with Marquez’s surprising light-hearted team character and technical insight, suggests that this partnership will continue to produce impressive results and innovations.
As Marquez maintains his dominance on the track, driven by both skill and teamwork, the Ducati Lenovo Team is well positioned to sustain their advantage in the championship. The season ahead is likely to showcase further growth and success born from this unique dynamic.
