The eight-time world champion jumped aboard a Ducati MotoGP bike for the first time in his career, and in the process gave l𝔍ittle reason to think he can’t be a force with this year’s title-winning package.

Marquez, who left Honda♔ after one of the mostꦑ successful stints the sport has ever seen, finished the Valencia test in fourth.

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But it wasn’t just the final position that gave an indication of how strong he could be, but raꦫther his level of confidence with the bike, which was only enhanced when he stepped off his machine and looked happier 𒉰than we’ve seen him in many seasons. 

Gr🧔inning and raising his eyeb🌳rows after returning to pit lane, Marquez looked very pleased with the GP23 bike before getting stronger and stronger as the day went on.

Marquez put together seve🌠ཧral runs where he set very fast lap times, to the point where he challenged his fastest laps from the race weekend on the Honda. 

Marquez has not lost any of his talent, that’s clear, but the RC213V has stopped him from showing thatဣ on a consistent basis.

But t🍸hat does not appear to be something he will struggle with doing atღ Ducati, especially after inheriting last season’s championship bike.

Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin contended for the title with that bike, which is one very strong reason to suggest Marquez could be ꦛa title threat.

However, just as 𒀰important is the fact Ducati produces a bike that can ꧟be competitive for more than just one season.

A✨lex Mar🎃quez, Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio all won races in 2023 whilst riding a year-old bike.

Those three riders are very, very good, but it won’t come as a surpris💫e if I said Marquez is a more complete and talented rider than those three mentioned.

His tal♈ent, which is unquestioned, and the Ducati bike which is unquestionably the best package on the grid at present, is enough to warrant putting Marque𒁏z in the same bracket as Bagnaia and Martin when we think of possible title contenders in 2024. 

Ducati are also very fair when it comes to its riders and letting them figꦬht for the title, even if it’s against a factor🅠y rider.

Sure, team orders can come into play, but that is unlikely to be the case if the non factory rider has a legit chance o🎉f claiming the championship.