Mugello is one of the few circuits that Mark Marquez enjoys limited success in his Grand Prix racing career, but the third fastest Friday at Italy’s MotoGP in 2025 proves that the current championship leader is competing in Tuscany this weekend.
Marquez was sitting on the timesheet between Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez. The three Ducati riders were separated at the end of practice in just 0.043 seconds, leading the Ducati Renovo team’s Marquez with a positive mood, even if they admitted that things were getting closer here than they were two weeks ago.
“It was a good day, a solid day,” Mark Marquez summed up at Muguero at the end of Friday.
“It was special to ride the red, of course, to be in Mugero.
“Apart from that, we tried to focus.
“Alex (Marquez) and Pecco (Francesco Bagnaia) are here.
“Usually they’re faster than me, but today we’re close to them, so let’s see what we can do while we practice.”
There was also a new fairing to try out all three GP25 riders (Bagnaia, Marquez and Fabio Digianntonio) at Mugello.
Marquez actually tried it in just a few laps, but Bagnaia hadn’t tried at all as a result of some issues he encountered on Friday, and Fabio di Giannantonio completed most of his Friday’s running with updated bodywork.
“The Ducati staff asked us to start to understand that the bike balance has changed a bit with that new aero – for the future,” explained Marquez.
“I believe there is a good chance there is, but you need to understand it in different circuits.
“Tomorrow I need to know if I’ll continue to go with that new aero or go back to the old aero and not be confused.
“Usually, when other Ducati riders use one aero, if they are probably leading the championship, then they have the same technical aspects.
“So let’s take a look, but I feel good at the moment.”