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Marc Márquez Seals Ninth World Title With Ducati as Legacy Debate Looms

A rumored Liberty Media move to strip Moto2 and Moto3 of world‑championship status raises the prospect of retroactive changes to riders’ career totals.

Overview

  • Márquez clinched the 2025 MotoGP crown at Motegi, matching Valentino Rossi on nine world titles overall and capturing his first championship with Ducati.
  • He frames the triumph as a personal reset after the 2020 Jerez crash and four surgeries, saying he now takes calculated risks and plans to fight for the title in 2026.
  • Francesco Bagnaia signaled renewed form at Motegi by taking pole, winning the Sprint, and winning the race ahead of Márquez, setting up a late‑season intra‑team duel.
  • Márquez credits Ducati’s structure and his direct working relationship with Gigi Dall’Igna for restoring confidence and competitiveness after his move from Honda via Gresini.
  • Reports in Italian media describe an unconfirmed Liberty Media proposal that could reclassify Moto2 and Moto3, potentially reducing historical tallies for riders such as Agostini, Rossi, and Márquez.