{"id":1879474,"date":"2026-04-12T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1879474"},"modified":"2026-04-12T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T05:00:00","slug":"marc-marquez-vs-pedro-acosta-at-ducati-the-best-riders-dont-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1879474","title":{"rendered":"Marc Marquez vs Pedro Acosta at Ducati? \u201cThe best riders don\u2019t care\u2026\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Marc Marquez vs Pedro Acosta at Ducati? \u201cThe best riders don\u2019t care\u2026\u201d<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Mick Doohan says Marc Marquez is \u201cfocussed on himself\u201d and won\u2019t care who his 2027 Ducati team-mate will be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Peter McLaren <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-12T16:58:47+00:00\">Updated: 12 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, 2026 Thai MotoGP Sprint.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>If it takes a champion to know a champion, then Marc Marquez won\u2019t care who his 2027 MotoGP team-mate will be.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the opinion of five-time 500cc title winner Mick Doohan, when asked about Pedro Acosta\u2019s expected move alongside Marquez at the factory Ducati team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere hasn&#8217;t been an official announcement, and I can&#8217;t comment on rumours, but I can say that, as a rider, whether in my era or Marc Marquez&#8217;s, Marc is focused on himself,\u201d Doohan told <em>Marca.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Doohan added that it is natural for manufacturers to target the strongest rider line-ups, while champions must beat everyone on the grid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo win a race or the World Championship, you have to beat everyone, including your team-mate. The best riders don&#8217;t care who their team-mate is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe same is true in F1; Verstappen isn&#8217;t worried about who his team-mate is.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The [incoming] team-mate is the one who has to worry more about winning than the one who is already established.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-68bf13fa10ee699e155cd250d22cb70136fd8c1fb53b8bac5b4e9050ec8ae9b7\">  \u201cNot impossible\u201d for Nicolo Bulega to make MotoGP move without Ducati   Acosta could \u201crejuvenate\u201d Marc Marquez like Rossi vs Lorenzo <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Marquez insists he doesn\u2019t interfere in the selection of his team-mate and was previously paired with fellow MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo and Joan Mir at Repsol Honda.<\/p>\n<p>Roles were then reversed when Marquez entered the factory Ducati team alongside former double champion Pecco Bagnaia.<\/p>\n<p>But like Lorenzo and Mir, Bagnaia hasn&#8217;t been able to threaten Marquez on the same machinery.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e384a076a0daad8cf7acffe948a76f505b20bf2d2cfc3cfd56ea572fb88ab460\">  Ducati takes inspiration from rivals in rear aero battle   Marc Marquez seeks missing \u201cstep\u201d during Aragon training <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>If the expected Marquez-Acosta pairing materialises, Doohan expects a close contest between two riders at very different stages of their careers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAcosta has incredible talent. What he&#8217;s doing with the KTM is amazing. It will be difficult for both of them. They&#8217;re both Spanish and incredibly talented,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMarc won&#8217;t be young anymore, and you have the young guy gaining experience who&#8217;s incredibly fast and wants to beat the old guy, which is Marc.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSimilarly, Marc doesn&#8217;t want to be beaten by the young guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut if [Acosta] becomes a Ducati rider&#8230; that wouldn&#8217;t matter. If Bezzecchi got on that bike, it would be the same,\u201d Doohan reiterated.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Acosta holds third in the world championship, with reigning nine-time champion Marquez fifth after Ducati&#8217;s tougher-than-expected start to 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Bagnaia is tipped to join Aprilia alongside current title leader Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Marc Marquez<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Pedro Acosta<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Ducati Lenovo Team<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Ducati<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> \u201cTime will tell\u201d if \u201ccourageous\u201d Yamaha V4 MotoGP strategy was right<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304005_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> \u201cNot impossible\u201d for Nicolo Bulega to make MotoGP move without Ducati<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1290523_hires-1.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-f46a2f8385645de51307161bbd5b33e165463e20819c41cf4ed845bee4c66035\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-72168-1654791772.png?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Peter McLaren<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">MotoGP Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez\u2019s injury issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-f16627b741316b6346c75a1d8c3f1738768e8e6abda27f0ca7d0938915c73d6b\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Is this rider set to be the biggest loser in MotoGP\u2019s wild 2027 market?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775662500\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1280801_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, Ducati Corse, 2025 Portuguese MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marc Marquez: \u201cMoney or the best bike? That&#8217;s how I was taught\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775660450\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300336_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>KTM details Pedro Acosta\u2019s new MotoGP approach: \u201cThere was no middle ground\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775645330\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304322_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pedro Acosta, 2026 US MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cDucati will return to normal\u201d claim made for upcoming Jerez MotoGP round<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775577600\"> 07\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300853_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pecco Bagnaia, Ducati Corse, 2026 US MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The golden opportunity MotoGP must seize with its reserve rider proposal<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775571900\"> 07\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1286802_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Celestino Vietti, VR46 Ducati, 2025 Valencia test\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>MotoGP winner \u201cwouldn\u2019t be surprised\u201d if Marc Marquez retires after next title<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775386800\"> 05\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1298958_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 Brazil MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Mick Doohan says Marc Marquez is \u201cfocussed on himself\u201d and won\u2019t care who his 2027 Ducati team-mate will be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>If it takes a champion to know a champion, then Marc Marquez won\u2019t care who his 2027 MotoGP team-mate will be.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the opinion of five-time 500cc title winner Mick Doohan, when asked about Pedro Acosta\u2019s expected move alongside Marquez at the factory Ducati team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere hasn&#8217;t been an official announcement, and I can&#8217;t comment on rumours, but I can say that, as a rider, whether in my era or Marc Marquez&#8217;s, Marc is focused on himself,\u201d Doohan told <em>Marca.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Doohan added that it is natural for manufacturers to target the strongest rider line-ups, while champions must beat everyone on the grid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo win a race or the World Championship, you have to beat everyone, including your team-mate. The best riders don&#8217;t care who their team-mate is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe same is true in F1; Verstappen isn&#8217;t worried about who his team-mate is.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The [incoming] team-mate is the one who has to worry more about winning than the one who is already established.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-68bf13fa10ee699e155cd250d22cb70136fd8c1fb53b8bac5b4e9050ec8ae9b7\">  \u201cNot impossible\u201d for Nicolo Bulega to make MotoGP move without Ducati   Acosta could \u201crejuvenate\u201d Marc Marquez like Rossi vs Lorenzo <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Marquez insists he doesn\u2019t interfere in the selection of his team-mate and was previously paired with fellow MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo and Joan Mir at Repsol Honda.<\/p>\n<p>Roles were then reversed when Marquez entered the factory Ducati team alongside former double champion Pecco Bagnaia.<\/p>\n<p>But like Lorenzo and Mir, Bagnaia hasn&#8217;t been able to threaten Marquez on the same machinery.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e384a076a0daad8cf7acffe948a76f505b20bf2d2cfc3cfd56ea572fb88ab460\">  Ducati takes inspiration from rivals in rear aero battle   Marc Marquez seeks missing \u201cstep\u201d during Aragon training <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>If the expected Marquez-Acosta pairing materialises, Doohan expects a close contest between two riders at very different stages of their careers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAcosta has incredible talent. What he&#8217;s doing with the KTM is amazing. It will be difficult for both of them. They&#8217;re both Spanish and incredibly talented,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMarc won&#8217;t be young anymore, and you have the young guy gaining experience who&#8217;s incredibly fast and wants to beat the old guy, which is Marc.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSimilarly, Marc doesn&#8217;t want to be beaten by the young guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut if [Acosta] becomes a Ducati rider&#8230; that wouldn&#8217;t matter. If Bezzecchi got on that bike, it would be the same,\u201d Doohan reiterated.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Acosta holds third in the world championship, with reigning nine-time champion Marquez fifth after Ducati&#8217;s tougher-than-expected start to 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Bagnaia is tipped to join Aprilia alongside current title leader Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>If it takes a champion to know a champion, then Marc Marquez won\u2019t care who his 2027 MotoGP team-mate will be.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the opinion of five-time 500cc title winner Mick Doohan, when asked about Pedro Acosta\u2019s expected move alongside Marquez at the factory Ducati team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere hasn&#8217;t been an official announcement, and I can&#8217;t comment on rumours, but I can say that, as a rider, whether in my era or Marc Marquez&#8217;s, Marc is focused on himself,\u201d Doohan told <em>Marca.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Doohan added that it is natural for manufacturers to target the strongest rider line-ups, while champions must beat everyone on the grid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo win a race or the World Championship, you have to beat everyone, including your team-mate. The best riders don&#8217;t care who their team-mate is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe same is true in F1; Verstappen isn&#8217;t worried about who his team-mate is.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The [incoming] team-mate is the one who has to worry more about winning than the one who is already established.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-68bf13fa10ee699e155cd250d22cb70136fd8c1fb53b8bac5b4e9050ec8ae9b7\">  \u201cNot impossible\u201d for Nicolo Bulega to make MotoGP move without Ducati   Acosta could \u201crejuvenate\u201d Marc Marquez like Rossi vs Lorenzo <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Marquez insists he doesn\u2019t interfere in the selection of his team-mate and was previously paired with fellow MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo and Joan Mir at Repsol Honda.<\/p>\n<p>Roles were then reversed when Marquez entered the factory Ducati team alongside former double champion Pecco Bagnaia.<\/p>\n<p>But like Lorenzo and Mir, Bagnaia hasn&#8217;t been able to threaten Marquez on the same machinery.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e384a076a0daad8cf7acffe948a76f505b20bf2d2cfc3cfd56ea572fb88ab460\">  Ducati takes inspiration from rivals in rear aero battle   Marc Marquez seeks missing \u201cstep\u201d during Aragon training <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>If the expected Marquez-Acosta pairing materialises, Doohan expects a close contest between two riders at very different stages of their careers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAcosta has incredible talent. What he&#8217;s doing with the KTM is amazing. It will be difficult for both of them. They&#8217;re both Spanish and incredibly talented,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMarc won&#8217;t be young anymore, and you have the young guy gaining experience who&#8217;s incredibly fast and wants to beat the old guy, which is Marc.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSimilarly, Marc doesn&#8217;t want to be beaten by the young guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut if [Acosta] becomes a Ducati rider&#8230; that wouldn&#8217;t matter. If Bezzecchi got on that bike, it would be the same,\u201d Doohan reiterated.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Acosta holds third in the world championship, with reigning nine-time champion Marquez fifth after Ducati&#8217;s tougher-than-expected start to 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Bagnaia is tipped to join Aprilia alongside current title leader Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1092966\/1\/marc-marquez-vs-pedro-acosta-ducati-best-riders-dont-care&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Marc Marquez vs Pedro Acosta at Ducati? \u201cThe best riders don\u2019t care\u2026\u201d Mick Doohan says Marc Marquez is \u201cfocussed on himself\u201d and won\u2019t care who his 2027 Ducati team-mate will be. Peter McLaren Updated: 12 Apr 2026 Share Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, 2026 Thai MotoGP Sprint. \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose Add as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1879474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1879474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1879474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1879474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1879474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1879474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1879474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}