Marc Marquez believes it would be impossible for him to replicate the success he enjoyed during his peak years at Honda when he joins the factory Ducati team in MotoGP next season.

For the first time since 2019, Marquez will be racing what is expected to be the best bike on the MotoGP grid, as he teams up with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati in 2025.

The Desmosedici has been in a class of its own this year, winning 18 of the 19 grands prix held so far. Only Maverick Vinales’ triumph on an Aprilia in the Americas GP prevented Ducati from completing a clean sweep.

Marquez has adapted well to the Ducati after spending 11 years on the Honda RC213V, winning three grands prix on last year’s GP23 bike and taking the fight to the latest spec bikes of Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini and Pramac’s Jorge Martin.

The Spaniard’s results are particularly impressive considering the other three riders racing the GP23 scored just two podiums between them, with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio the highest-placed rider among the trio in eighth, five spots behind Marquez.

While he will finally get parity of equipment with Bagnaia next year, Marquez doesn’t think it would mean he will be able to enjoy the same success as he did in 2019, when he won 12 races en route to his sixth premier class title.

“Well, it was a year that I had not found myself in my sporting career and I hope not to find myself again, but it may happen, because it may happen. A year of looking for answers,” he said of 2024.

Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

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“I had a lot of questions in my head and it was a year of looking for answers. I have been finding them in a positive way because the main question was, am I still competitive enough to be in MotoGP? So that was yes, I’m still competitive.

“Logically it will be impossible to be the dominator like in 2019. Why? Because life happens for all of us who are here, the ones who are coming but we will try to keep that line as flat as possible to keep a high level in MotoGP and to stay competitive.”

Marquez’s impending move to Ducati has raised expectations from him, given how his success in the mid-to-late 2010s put him among the list of all-time greats in motorcycle racing.

But the current Gresini rider isn’t concerned by the weight of expectations on his shoulders, pointing out how fans assumed he will be a genuine title contender in 2024.

“Yes, there were also people who, when I announced that I was going to Gresini, said that I was going to be a winner all year. Then I said no,” he replied.

“And there were people who at Le Mans [and] Montmelo who said I would fight for the title. I said I’d like to say yes.”

Marquez remained in mathematical contention for the title for much of the year, even as Bagnaia and Martin were a step clear of the rest of the pack on their factory-spec GP24s.

The 31-year-old admitted that he himself thought that he had a chance to win the title, but by September it was clear to him that the championship was out of his reach.

“Obviously. I got to thinking because mathematically I had a chance, but then when I arrived at Mugello, Assen, I had the answer and my doubts were cleared and I said ‘I can’t, I can’t make it this year’,” he explained.

“Next year we’ll see, I have to do the pre-season and from there, before Thailand…”

Marquez has previously stated that he is joining Ducati to learn from Bagnaia, who he believes will be the benchmark in the team.

But while playing down his chances for 2025, Marquez knows that he has to target the championship straight away as he returns to a factory team after a year on a satellite bike.

Asked if there will be no excuses at Ducati next year, he said: “No, no, I have the two best bullets in the next two years. I have the bike that has won the past years with the team that has won.

“Well, we will see this year, but at the end, it is the factory team. Then we’ll see, but for me, I don’t have to prove anything.

“For me, it’s about continuing to be competitive in MotoGP and to be fighting for those three positions.

“First, it will be the goal, logically, out of the corner of my eye, we’ll have to look at the title because we are obliged in a factory team to look at the title to see where we are.”

The American move comes at a time when prize money in men’s professional golf has reached record highs in response to the arrival of the lucrative Saudi Arabia funded breakaway LIV circuit.

“I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand,” McIlroy said. “Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid.”

Cantlay’s refusal to wear a cap in Rome led to European fans removing their headwear to taunt the American player.

It ultimately led to a spat between McIlroy and the US golfer’s caddie Joe LaCava that spilled into angry scenes in the clubhouse carpark.

“It was a discussion that was happening in Rome,” McIlroy added. “I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.

“It is one of the probably top five biggest sporting events in the world. So I get the argument that the talent should be or could be getting paid.

“But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour.”

The continental team represents the DP World Tour – formerly known as the European Tour, while the US side is administered by the PGA of America, the body that represents the country’s club professionals.

McIlroy said that he and his team-mates in captain Luke Donald’s side have no interest in being paid.

“We have all had a conversation with Luke about it over the past few weeks because we obviously heard,” McIlroy revealed.

“The common consensus among us is that $5m would be better off spent elsewhere on the DP World Tour to support other events or even to support The Challenge Tour.”

The Ryder Cup generates vast sums of money on both sides of the Atlantic. Next year’s match at Bethpage is a sell out despite daily tickets each costing a record $750.

“I think we would all welcome money if it didn’t change the dynamic but the money really would change the dynamic,” McIlroy said.

“That’s why I think everyone is like, let’s not do that.”

McIlroy shares the lead with Tyrell Hatton here in Dubai, where the first prize is $3m. Hatton said: “I’ve never thought about being paid to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s such an honour to be a part of that 12 that play.”

The Englishman competes on the LIV tour but remains eligible for the Ryder Cup while he appeals against punishments for playing without formal releases to appear on the breakaway circuit.

“The next 10 months I’ll be trying my best to be on that team,” Hatton said. “The US lads, it’s up to them. I’m on The European Team and I would love to be there at Bethpage.”

Bob MacIntyre, who made his debut in Europe’s victory in Italy last year, said his main priority is to be in New York next September.

“I just want to be on the Ryder Cup Team,” said the Scot. “Last year we didn’t get paid, and getting paid would not change the way I feel about the Ryder Cup.

“I wore my heart on my sleeve last year, and like everyone else on The European Team, it’s not about the money.”

And Ireland’s Shane Lowry said it is no sacrifice to be helping the European tour’s finances free of charge. “You’re not even giving back because it’s a privilege to be there,” said the former Open champion.

“I’d give anything to know that I’m on the team next year. I’m going to spend the next 10 months stressing my head off trying to make the team.”

The UFC 309 press conference features the entire main card from Saturday’s pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York.

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, and lightweight contenders Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler are some of the stars that will answer questions from the media Thursday evening.

Watch a live stream video of the UFC 309 press conference above. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET.

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MIKE Tyson’s former manager has revealed he would try to talk the boxing legend out of fighting Jake Paul because he doesn’t like the ‘risk factors.’

Rory Holloway worked with ‘the baddest man on the planet’ from 1986 to 1997.

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Tyson, 58, returns to action against Jake Paul on Friday night in a fight that will be streamed by Netflix.

However, Holloway, who drifted apart from Tyson in the late 90s following a lawsuit over the boxer’s earnings, has doubts that it is the right choice for a man who hasn’t boxed for so long.

Holloway told SunSport: “In all seriousness, if it was my choice, I would talk him out of it.

“I just don’t like the risk factors that are involved.

“At his age, he hasn’t taken punches in so long… it’s all these things I think about.

“If it was me, and I was in a position to talk to him, I would say don’t do it.”

Tyson, who is 31 years older than his opponent Paul, has been working hard in the gym to get in shape for the bout.

As SunSport exclusively revealed, his training camp is shrouded in secrecy with sparring partners forced to sign NDAs.

However, at an open workout to kick off fight week Tyson nearly knocked out his own trainer – with a video clip showing that he had not lost some of the magic that led to his moniker, ‘the baddest man on the planet.’

Holloway revealed that he was shocked to see Tyson training so hard.

He said: “It’s funny watching him prepare. I was with this guy for almost for as long as he’s been putting gloves on and I’ve never seen him train so hard and he’s 58!

“We couldn’t get him to train that hard at 28! It’s funny to me.”

Tyson has to reportedly pass two tests before he fights Paul amid fears over his health.

The controversial event will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Tyson has not had a sanctioned bout in two decades.

The fight has already been postponed once after Tyson suffered an “ulcer flare-up” while being taken ill on a plane.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requirements were agreed months ago.

One of the tests will be an EEG to check Tyson’s brain. While the other is an EKG to make sure his heart is healthy.

TDLR rep Tela Mange said: “Thorough pre-fight physicals will be conducted by TDLR-appointed physicians, who will discuss Mr Tyson’s medical history with him.”

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JAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT

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Previously, Tyson has said he’s willing to die in the ring to beat Paul.

Speaking in a clip on Netflix, he said: “I don’t do anything if I don’t risk being embarrassed. Like now I want to fight this young motherf****r.

“This is really big for me, if I win I will be immortal. If I do it bad, I don’t want to die in a hospital bed, I want to die in the ring.”

Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…

READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…

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Jon Jones doesn’t want to hear anymore Tom Aspinall questions.

On Wednesday, Jones refused to sit down with TNT Sports reporter Adam Catterall in anticipation of receiving more questions about the UFC interim champion, who is on friendly terms with Catterall. Jones defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic this Saturday at UFC 309 in New York and in the build-up to the event he has frequently been asked whether he plans to meet Aspinall in the future to unify their belts.

Watch a clip of Jones making a quick exit from the interview room below (h/t Championship Rounds):

“Hey, I’m not going to do this interview,” Jones said after initially greeting Catterall. “No, because it’s going to be an Aspinall-fest.”

Jones is later seen speaking to Catterall in the lobby, telling him it was “nothing personal” but “I see how close you [and Aspinall] are common sense tells me what type of questions I was going to get asked.”

Catterall tells Jones, “You’re entitled to it. Speak to who you want to.”

Shortly after, Jones re-entered the interview room for an interview with Nick Peet of TNT Sports. Jones is not asked any questions about Aspinall in the video, which can be seen below.

Jones is widely hailed as one of the greatest fighters of all time, primarily based on his work in the UFC light heavyweight division where he went undefeated for a decade (outside of a controversial disqualification loss to Matt Hamill), recorded numerous title defenses, and defeated a long list of legends and future UFC Hall of Famers. In March 2023, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane to capture a vacant heavyweight title.

Miocic was to challenge Jones at UFC 295 the following December, but a pectoral injury forced Jones out of the matchup and out of action for several months. In their absence, Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich to claim an interim title.

With the Jones-Miocic matchup pushed back a year, Aspinall successfully defended his title with a win over Curtis Blaydes this past July. Since winning the interim belt, he has campaigned for a fight with Jones, but Jones has repeatedly said he has no interest in fighting Aspinall.

Aspinall is set to weigh in as the backup for Saturday’s main event and has said he hopes to convince either Jones or Miocic to stick around to face him regardless of who is victorious.