Marc Marquez’s crew chief Marco Rigamonti has opened up about his experience working alongside the eight-time World Champion, revealing that it’s Marquez’s personality — not just his talent — that has most surprised him in their first season together at the factory Ducati Lenovo Team.
Rigamonti, who took over as Marquez’s crew chief in 2025 following Enea Bastianini’s departure, says he was both honored and excited to work with a rider of Marquez’s stature. But what stood out most to him wasn’t just the Spaniard’s on-track performance — which includes 11 wins from 16 races and a strong lead in the standings — but his humility, team-first mindset, and positive character.
“Character, character with people,” Rigamonti told Mundo Deportivo. “You’re expecting a VIP pilot, someone who has won everything. So you think it’s perfect but you’re wrong. On the other hand, he is always saying that he is wrong, that he has made a mistake, that he has not given you the right directions, he greets everyone, he thanks everyone… That’s the most beautiful thing from a human point of view.”
Rigamonti added that Marquez is not just fast but also technically sharp — someone who dives into the data and provides detailed, actionable feedback to his team.
“He gives you the instructions and you can improve based on what he tells you,” he said. “You’re not just dealing with someone who rides like a beast, but also someone who truly understands.”
The seamless working relationship between Rigamonti and Marquez has been crucial to Ducati’s current dominance, but Rigamonti believes it’s the mutual respect and shared humor within the team that truly fuels their performance.
