The Ducati CEO has been quizzed aboಌut his stance on the clash between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

Race Direction ruled that the collision at last weekend’s Portuguese MotoGP was merely ൩a racing incident.

Marquez agreed although he laid the blame with Bagnaia, and insisted the manoeuvre was on t🅷he limit of legality.

The wider issue is that it pits Ducati’s star man and the reigning MotoGP champion against its ilꦓlustrious newco൲mer.

Claudio Domeni🌃cali, the Ducati CEO, was asked if Marquez’s arrival at the Italian manufacturer has heightened tension with other riders.

“There are so many good champions here, we even saw Pedro Acosta have a crazy race,” 𒅌he was quoted by .

“So I don’t know if one more or less changes what, in the enꦅd.

“They are all ൩very strong, some are world🥀 champions like Pecco and Marc who always want to win.

“I understand that the🐼y like the topic as a journalistic cue, but I try not to get pulled into ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚthe controversy if I can. I don’t bite.”

Domenicali was asked for his thoughts on Bagnaia’s unsuccessful attempt to cut inside Marquez, whicꩵh left them both in the gravel.

Bag𓄧naia failed to finish the race, Marquez 𝐆ended in 16th, after they battled for P5.

Domenicali reac𓃲ted: “We did first and second with an official Ducati, so I’m happy anyway.

“But it’s clear that when things like ꧂that happen, between Pecco and Marc, we all feel a little bad.

“But that’s how races are made.

“They are two great c💧hampi🐓ons and he didn’t want to give up on either of them.

“I followed the analysis that was on TV and depending on where you watch it fro🃏m, you tend to give some reason to one or the other.

“Maybe two with their experience could have been more careful, but on the other side, ne𒈔ither wanted to give up.

“So even though only a🥂 fifth-place was at stake, they played it a l💞ot and they both took risks.

“It’s easy to make an analysis here, but when you’re inside and you have the adrenaline on, it’s a🔯ll different.

“I unders♚tand t🔯hem but I don’t completely justify them. That can be a good summary.”

Who will earn 2025 official Ducati seat?

Ducati have tied Bagnaia down to a long-term contract but the hunt f🥀or the second bike🍃 in 2025 is on.

Jorge Marti▨n, the winner of the Portuguese MotoGP who currently leads the standings, claims he will quit Ducati if he i🎃s overlooked again.

Enea Bastianini, the current in💦cumbent, was second in Portimao.

Domenicali was asked about Ducati’s big decision.

“Having so many strong riders also means that we have invested well in these gu꧑ys, that we are 🔴making them grow and that, by now, they have already grown up,” he said.

“They are all riders capabl𓄧e of aimingꦛ for the title.

“Martin last year fought with Pecco until Valencia, wh🐻ile Enea had some crazy races including [Portimao last we🦋ekend].

“Let’s say it is a choice thatဣ, on one hand, is not easy. But it is also a privileged choice.”