The arrival of Marc Marquez at Ducati shook the world of MotoGP. Antonio Jimenez, emblematic figure of the paddock and former collaborator of Aleix Espargaró at Aprilia, gave his analysis of this situation during a recent interview. For the Spaniard, this new situation promises a particularly thrilling 2025 championship.
Antonio Jimenezone of the most respected technicians in the MotoGP paddock, continues to shape the future of the championship with his unrivaled expertise. In recent years, Jiménez has been a centerpiece of the development ofApriliaworking closely with
Aleix Espargaró. In 2025, he adds a new dimension to his career by accompanying the Granollers driver, in his role as test driver at Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).
Latest guest on the #ZamTube YouTube channel, Jimenez shared his thoughts on the major changes expected for next season, including the long-awaited arrival of Marc
Marquez in the official Ducati team.
The announcement of Marc Marquez in red
Ducati was like a stone thrown into the peaceful pond of MotoGP, creating ripples that shook the established order. The first wave was the departure of Jorge
Martin of Ducati to join the court ofApriliataking with him the title of World Champion. Although not necessarily favorite for the title this year,
Jimenez don't underestimate him:
« Maybe the rider who makes the difference at Aprilia has arrived » he said remembering this… “
When I was at Yamaha, in 2000, for me the bike was a good bike, maybe we were missing the champion.
Valentino Rossi arrived and with this bike he won the first race and won the world championship. So that means the job has been done, a good job has been done. So maybe we were missing the driver that makes the difference ».
Antonio Jimenez : « Bagnaia has won eleven races, so Marquez must win twelve »
On this reflection, he continues: “ like Valentino in 2003, Jorge Martin became world champion. He will surely make many victories, make many podiums, take many poles, but he will have to fight with a Bagnaia and a Marc Marquez. Other than that, for me,
the three drivers of next year are them ».
Jimenez emphasizes the importance of the driver and the machine: “ the rider makes the difference with a good bike, of course. The example will, in theory, be Marc Marquez next year. He must win at least 12 races. Bagnaia has won eleven races, so Marquez must win twelve. The rider makes the difference when he has the right bike. And we all know that the right bike, at the end of 2024, was the Ducati. In 2025, everything can change, of course. »
With two great champions at DucatiJiménez sees both an opportunity and a challenge: “ the sporting challenge is nice because we have two completely different drivers. A large, calm Pecco, but spectacularly driven when he lowers his visor and becomes another person. Then we have Marc Marquezof which we know what its objective is, is to win 10 world championships. Very aggressive and completely different driving. The problem, for me, will not be a sporting problem. It will rather be a management problem within the team “, he explains.
Confident in the team's abilities,
Jimenez concludes: “ I think the hardest work will be for Tardozzi, he'll have to handle it, but we know he can handle it. So the important thing at the end of the day is that I think for Ducati, we will have to let the races finish. Because now, on paper, they can be first or second almost every Sunday and Saturday. From time to time we will see
Martin. But at the end of the season, unless things change a lot, on paper
Ducati with Marquez and Pecco are the two men to beat. »
Antonio Jimenez sees 2025 as a season of high tension. The presence of
Marquez et
Bagnaia chez Ducati promises exciting duels, while
Jorge Martin will try to confirm his status as World Champion at Aprilia.
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