Ducati and Honda are currently two of the fiercest competitors in the world of MotoGP. Interestingly, both manufacturers share a unique similarity—Marc Marquez.
Marquez, who won six world titles with Honda, is now riding for Ducati. What’s fascinating is that he is open about sharing his views on the differences between these two manufacturers, particularly when it comes to qualifying laps.
In an interview with Motorsport, Marquez revealed the strengths of each bike. According to him, both Honda and Ducati have a unique approach to handling corners. “Out of the corner, Ducati has the edge over Honda. It’s the way to set a fast lap time,” he said. Marquez pointed out that with Honda, the bike’s advantage lies in the initial part of the corner.
“With Honda, the advantage is in the first part of the corner. If you’re fast at the entry, you will be fast overall. The real difference is in the exit,” Marquez explained.
He further elaborated that with Ducati, riders need to be cautious when entering the corner, and only then will the time difference become noticeable when exiting. “With Ducati, you need to carefully manage the entry, then push hard on the exit,” he added.
On the other hand, with Honda, Marquez explained, “You just gas it and try to manage the exit.” This highlights the contrasting riding styles required for both bikes.
It’s fair to say that the Ducati vs. Honda rivalry is not as prominent at the moment due to Ducati’s dominance. However, these differences show just how unique each bike is and how riders must adapt their technique to perform at their best.
When reflecting on his past, Marquez also took a moment to consider his career journey. When asked what he would change, he revealed, “I would only change one moment—when I came back too soon in Jerez in 2020. It resulted in an injury that kept me out for six months.”
However, Marquez has no regrets about his other choices. “The rest? Follow your instincts, and everything will be fine,” Marquez said.
Now, after four rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season, Marquez has won seven out of eight races. His only setback occurred when he crashed during the Americas MotoGP while leading by two seconds. Despite this, he continues to prove that the Ducati vs. Honda rivalry is not just about the bikes, but also about how riders adapt and stay at the top.
