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It all ended with a declaration of a few lines, in which the main concern seemed to be to underline that the divorce was "consensual". As if anyone would believe it. After 11 years together, 6 riders' titles, 59 victories and 101 podiums, Marquez and Honda part ways. By mutual agreement in form, by Marc's will in practice. Because the Spaniard is tired of waiting for the RC213V to become competitive again, time is passing and he certainly isn't getting any younger. He blew out his 30 birthday candles last February, a 'critical' age in MotoGP, because since the 4-stroke premier class has existed, no one has ever won the title in their thirties.
So off he goes, heading towards other shores, or rather towards the hills of Bologna, to that Ducati which is a certainty, the dream bike of every rider, even the one who has won the most. An expected move, but not one to be taken for granted, also because no rider of his calibre had ever broken an existing contract to go to a satellite team with a bike from the previous year.
Actually, there are some precedents: Zarco leaving KTM in mid-2019 and putting himself back on the market before joining Ducati; or Maverick Vinales who split with Yamaha in 2021 and was welcomed by Aprilia. Cases that could at the most resemble that of Marquez, but very different in essence. Because Marc is leaving the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, the one with which he won everything, the one that waited for him a year and more when he was injured: they seemed like the most beautiful couple in the world, but it ended up in front of the lawyers.
To try to win again, Marquez had to take a risk. Stoner also left a non-competitive Ducati but to wear HRC colours, something that also happened to Valentino who however returned to Yamaha as a prodigal son, Marc on the other hand will be in a private team, without an updated bike, almost like a rookie.
A certainly courageous and risky choice, because all in all the challenge is not so simple. He will have to compete on equal terms with the new generation of champions, Bagnaia, Martin, Bezzecchi, young guys, with a better bike than him and born on the Ducati. Borgo Panigale's pupils can't wait to show that they can beat him at home. The only thing that Marc can do is to be able to quickly adapt to new bikes, teams and work groups, because no one will give time to a champion like him.
A crazy choice, too, but he didn't have any others. Staying at Honda would have meant wasting another year, building a future that he felt no longer belonged to him. He has already missed too many seasons due to his arm problem and in trying to get to 9 titles he cannot afford any more delays. He has always said that to "finish 10th it's better to stay at home", on the Gresini team's Ducati he won't (maybe) be able to aim for the title, but he certainly will start having fun again.
In truth, in his mind, changing for Marquez was not a choice, but an obligation. A completely understandable selfishness, because champions give their best in challenges and have broad enough shoulders to take the consequences. Marc is no different.
