Could Jorge Martin Have Challenged Marc Marquez for the MotoGP Crown on a Ducati?
In a recent interview, Jorge Martin dropped a bombshell that has the MotoGP world buzzing: he believes he could have gone toe-to-toe with the legendary Marc Marquez for the championship title—if only he'd been riding a Ducati in the 2025 season. But here's where it gets controversial: Martin, who switched from Pramac Ducati to Aprilia this year, thinks his season could have played out very differently had he stayed with the Italian manufacturer. And this is the part most people miss: despite a nightmare year plagued by injuries and surgeries, Martin still sees himself as one of the sport's top contenders.
Martin's 2025 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After being crowned MotoGP champion in November 2024, he faced a brutal reality check this year. Four injuries, four surgeries, and countless setbacks left him sidelined for much of the season. The Spaniard managed to start just eight race weekends, participate in seven grands prix, and cross the finish line in only four. It's a far cry from the glory days of his championship win.
His troubles began early, with a fractured foot and hand during pre-season testing in Sepang. Just as he was ready to kick off his title defense in Thailand, another injury—this time while testing a supermoto bike—forced him to miss the season opener. After a brief return in Qatar, he suffered his worst injury yet when another rider ran over him, sidelining him for seven grands prix. Even his comeback at the Czech Republic GP in July couldn't salvage the season, as another crash in Japan ended his Asian-Oceania tour prematurely.
Despite these setbacks, Martin remains confident in his abilities. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, he boldly declared himself one of the five reference riders in MotoGP, alongside Marquez, Fabio Quartararo, Pecco Bagnaia, and Pedro Acosta. 'I feel that I’m always in the spotlight,' he said, brushing off concerns about fading from the media's attention. 'We [the five of us] are kind of the spearhead.'
But what if Martin had stayed with Ducati? When the factory team chose Marquez in June 2024, Martin was offered the chance to remain at Pramac with identical machinery. He declined, opting for Aprilia instead. Now, he can't help but wonder: could he have battled the Marquez brothers for the title on a factory-spec Ducati? 'We’ll never know,' he admitted. 'But looking at Alex Marquez's season and the race times this year, I think I could have fought.'
Martin's respect for Marquez is undeniable, but he's not intimidated. 'Marc is a tougher rival on track—he’s a competitive beast,' he said. Yet, he sees Marquez's dominance as an opportunity to grow. 'The better he is, the better I’m going to have to be,' Martin explained. 'Hopefully, we can fight in the future.'
Controversial Take: Could Martin's Aprilia Switch Be His Biggest Mistake?
While Martin remains optimistic, some fans are left wondering: did he make a costly error by leaving Ducati? After all, Marquez's success on the Desmosedici GP this year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Could Martin have achieved similar results? Or was the Aprilia move a necessary step in his evolution as a rider?
One thing is certain: Martin's determination hasn't wavered. 'I will wear [#1] again. Sooner or later, I will wear it again,' he declared, confident in his ability to reclaim the championship. But the question remains: on which bike will he make his return to the top?
What do you think? Could Jorge Martin have challenged Marc Marquez for the title on a Ducati? Or did he make the right call by switching to Aprilia? Let us know in the comments below!
