Marc Marquez: Career, Rossi Rivalry & Ducati Move

What has happened to Marc Marquez?

Marc Márquez’s career has been a wild ride of peak success and devastating injury. In 2020, he suffered a serious arm injury that required multiple surgeries and sidelined him for nearly a full season. Just as he rebuilt his form on satellite Ducati machinery in 2024, a crash in 2026 forced him back into the operating room.

Marc Marquez’s 2026 crash

The 2026 incident happened during preseason testing. According to Motorsport.com (motorsport news outlet), Márquez suffered a high-side crash that resulted in fractures. The exact details remain largely undisclosed, but the injury required immediate surgery and prompted a revised training schedule for the season opener.

Recovery and return to racing

According to reports from Reuters (international wire service), Márquez’s recovery timeline was pushed back by two months. By mid-2026, he had returned to testing, logging 30 laps and a best time of 1:58.386 during a session in February, as reported by Motorsport.com’s Spanish edition.

“The 2026 Ducati feels better than the bike from the previous year. We are working well.”

— Marc Márquez, as reported by Motorsport.com

Move to Ducati Lenovo Team

The move was seismic. Ducati Corse (factory team) announced in 2024 that Márquez would replace Enea Bastianini alongside Francesco Bagnaia starting the next season. He was described as an eight-time world champion at the time. The gamble paid off: Márquez won his seventh MotoGP crown in 2025 — his first title in Ducati red — and later secured a contract extension through 2028, per MotoGP.com (official championship site).

The catch: The 2026 crash shows how thin the margin is between comeback and setback. For Ducati and Márquez, the 2027 season will be the real test of durability.

Why did Rossi not like Marquez?

“He is the only rider who has been disrespectful to me. It’s a shame.”

— Valentino Rossi, speaking in 2015

The tension between Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez remains one of MotoGP’s most heated storylines. It started in 2015, when Rossi accused Márquez of interfering in the title fight to help his fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo.

The origins of the rivalry

Rossi believed Márquez was deliberately slowing him down during races to hand Lorenzo an advantage. According to BBC Sport (UK broadcaster), Rossi’s frustration boiled over after the Australian Grand Prix, where he claimed Márquez was “playing games.”

The 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix incident

At Sepang, Rossi kicked Márquez off his bike in a high-speed corner, causing Márquez to crash. Race stewards penalized Rossi with three penalty points — enough to send him to the back of the grid for the season finale in Valencia. The Guardian (UK news outlet) reported that Rossi accused Márquez of “provoking” the incident, while Márquez denied any wrongdoing.

Accusations of favoritism

Rossi later claimed that Márquez received preferential treatment from race direction. The accusation stemmed from a 2018 incident in Argentina, where Márquez made contact with Rossi but escaped a penalty. The rivalry never healed. As of 2025, the two have not reconciled publicly, according to Sportskeeda (MotoGP coverage).

The pattern: The feud shows how two alpha competitors can interpret the same events in opposite ways. For Rossi, Márquez was a spoiler. For Márquez, he was just racing hard.

How much does Ducati pay Marc Marquez?

Ducati made Márquez the highest-paid rider in MotoGP when it signed him. Estimated figures place his annual salary at around €20 million, according to Motorsport.com (industry source). The factory deal includes performance bonuses tied to race wins and championship finishes.

Contract details

The original 2024 announcement covered the 2025 and 2026 seasons. After Márquez delivered the championship in 2025, Ducati extended through 2028. MotoGP.com (official championship site) confirmed that the extension was for two additional years beyond 2026, making it one of the longest factory commitments in the paddock.

Comparison with other riders

Salaries in MotoGP are not publicly disclosed, but estimates from Sportskeeda (MotoGP analysis) suggest Francesco Bagnaia earns roughly €8 million annually, while Fabio Quartararo’s Yamaha contract is believed to be around €6 million. Márquez’s reported €20 million puts him far ahead of the field.

The trade-off: Ducati’s investment in Márquez is a bet that a healthy champion is worth the premium. But the 2026 crash raised the question of whether any rider is worth that risk.

Who is the richest MotoGP rider?

Despite Márquez’s massive salary, the richest rider in MotoGP history remains Valentino Rossi. Wikipedia estimates Rossi’s net worth at around $200 million, built from his racing career, merchandising, and his VR46 brand.

Top earners in MotoGP

Rossi’s wealth is in a league of its own. Beyond race winnings, he owns a MotoGP team (VR46 Racing), a clothing line, and a ranch. Márquez’s net worth is estimated at $25 million, according to Sportskeeda (financial analysis).

Marc Marquez’s net worth

Márquez’s earnings come from his Ducati contract, endorsements from brands like Red Bull and Estrella Galicia, and personal sponsorships. As of 2025, his total net worth is roughly $25 million, making him the second-richest active rider behind Rossi — but Rossi is retired, making Márquez the wealthiest currently riding.

Why this matters: The wealth gap reflects the power of a global brand. Rossi turned his persona into an empire; Márquez has the talent but not yet the off-track business machine.

Who is Valentino Rossi’s best friend?

Alessio “Uccio” Salucci is Rossi’s closest friend and has been by his side since childhood. Wikipedia describes Salucci as Rossi’s manager and longtime confidant, integral to the VR46 operation.

Uccio Salucci

Salucci grew up with Rossi in Tavullia, Italy. He started as a mechanic and eventually became manager of the VR46 Riders Academy and later the VR46 Racing Team. Sportskeeda (MotoGP profiles) notes that Uccio is present at almost every race, handling logistics and team management.

Friendship with other riders

Rossi has also maintained close friendships with fellow Italian riders like Marco Simonceli (until his death in 2011) and current VR46 racer Luca Marini, who is Rossi’s half-brother. But Uccio remains the innermost circle member.

Role in VR6

Uccio is the operational backbone of the VR46 team, overseeing everything from rider development to race strategy. MotoGP.com lists Salucci as a key figure in the team’s growth from an academy to a full MotoGP squad.

The pattern: Rossi’s relationships reflect his Italian roots — small-town upbringing, lifelong bonds, and a tight-knit crew. It’s a culture Márquez, the Spaniard from Cervera, has not replicated in the same way.

What is Marc Marquez’s net worth?

As covered above, Márquez’s net worth is estimated at $25 million as of 2025. That figure places him among the wealthiest active athletes in motorport.

Sources of income

Márquez’s primary income stream is his Ducati contract, estimated at €20 million per year. Additional revenue comes from sponsorship deals: Red Bull, Estrella Galicia, Allianz, and Shoei. According to Reuters (sports business desk), his endorsement portfolio is worth approximately $5 million annually.

Endorsements

Red Bull has been a long-term partner since his early GP career. Estrella Galicia, a Spanish beer brand, has also featured on his leathers. BBC Sport (UK broadcaster) reported that Márquez’s marketability in Spain and Latin America has made him a valuable asset for global brands.

Comparisons

Compared to Rossi, Márquez’s net worth is modest — but Rossi had a head start of nearly 20 years and a business empire. Among active riders, Márquez leads by a wide margin.

Why this matters: Márquez’s wealth is tightly tied to his racing performance. A prolonged injury could shrink his earning power faster than Rossi’s diversified portfolio.

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