Image: Supplied.

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez’s 11-year association with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) at Repsol Honda will end at the conclusion of the 2023 season, their split paving the way for a sensational switch to Gresini Ducati.

HRC and Marquez ‘have have mutually elected to terminate their four-year contract prematurely’ with one year still remaining on the deal, following what has been a troubled campaign for the 30-year-old Spaniard.

It’s expected that Marquez will partner younger brother Alex Marquez at Gresini Racing on satellite specification Ducati machinery, making for a fascinating next step in his illustrious career. It’s unclear what HRC has in store to fill the position of outgoing Marquez.

“Both parties agreed it was in their best interests to each pursue other avenues in the future to best achieve their respective goals and targets,” according to Honda.

This brings an end to 11 years of collaboration between the number 93 and HRC, in which they achieved six premier class world championships, five triple crowns, 59 wins, 101 podiums and 64 pole positions together.

Marquez took his debut victory in the premier class aboard the Honda RC213V at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas in 2013 to become the youngest premier class winner and would become the youngest premier class world champion later that year. In 2014 he defended his title and won the opening 10 races of year, going on to also claim titles in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as an HRC rider with the Repsol Honda team.