MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has suggested several Ducati riders “fe🌌el betrayed” by Ducati signing Marc Marquez to its factory t𓆏eam for 2025.

In a rider market bombshell at the start of June, Ducati announced it had signed Marquez to join Francesco B꧑agnaia at its factor൲y team after the eight-time world champion refused a works bike at Pramac.

It came as Ducati had originally elected to promotedꦑ Martin, who subsequently signed with Aprilia for 2025 when informed of the Bologna-based marque’s U-turn during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

Ducati’s decision at the time was thought to have upset the Valentino Rossi camp, with Bagnaia a product of the VR46 Academy, and the 🙈veteran Italian having a strained relationship with Marquez following numerous incidents over the years.

In an interview with L’Equipe, R💝ossi offered a critical opinion of t🧔he matter.

“I have not finished understanding it,” he began.

“Ducati had an interesting system in place, with 🦋𒆙a pyramid that allowed young riders to progress.

“That's how Pecco was brought up, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were also waiting for it. A൩nd suddenly Ducati decided to 🎉bring Marc in.

“It's normal that [the riders] feel betrayed. From one moment to the next they no long🎉er count, so no wonder they consider the choice of Marquez a joke.”

Rossi believes Bagnaia is capable of standing up against Marquez on equal machinery in 2025 and doesn’t need his arr🍒iva🐬l as a team-mate to prove his quality as a MotoGP champion.

“Pecco is ready,” Rossi added.

“He is making a difference and has managed to raise the ꧒bar.

“He is a two-time world champion and is fighting for a third title, but, in my opini🐼on, he didn't need Marc in the box to prove that he is number one.”

The fallout from this also led to Pramac signing with Yamaha as a satellite partner for 2025, with Rossi’s squad now gettiܫng factory Ducati support for Fabio Di Gi🍸annantonio.

VR46 protege Bezzecchi will also join Martin at the factory Aprilia teꦍam next year.