MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing has admitted that Ducati’s GP26 has proven more challenging to adapt to in the early stages of the 2026 MotoGP season, although he remains confident in the bike’s development potential compared to the GP24.
The Spaniard entered the new campaign as one of the pre-season title contenders after an impressive 2025 season, during which he secured three grand prix victories and finished runner-up in the championship. Those results were achieved on the GP24, earning him a step up to factory-spec GP26 machinery for 2026.
However, across the opening three rounds, Marquez has struggled to replicate that level of consistency. He currently sits eighth in the standings, with a best result of sixth place at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This marks a significant contrast to the same stage last year, when he finished second in every main race and sprint, briefly leading the championship.
Ducati’s relative dip in form has coincided with a dominant start to the season from Aprilia Racing, led by Marco Bezzecchi, who has claimed victory in all three grands prix and guided the factory team to 1-2 finishes in Brazil and the United States. Despite this, Marquez does not believe there is cause for concern.
“This bike may have changed a little, not that much, but when the competition is tough, you put the bike under more strain,” Marquez explained.
“I’m struggling a bit more with this bike, but we have better options. The GP24 suits my riding style better, but the GP26 can be fine-tuned.”
Marquez emphasised that the early phase of the season is not yet representative of Ducati’s full competitive potential, particularly given the scope for ongoing technical development.
“Even though we’re only in the third race, there’s no need to panic; we have to wait until the fifth or sixth,” he added.
“Ducati is working to ensure that Aprilia’s dominance doesn’t last so long.”
That perspective aligns with comments from Jorge Martin, who has suggested Ducati could return to winning form starting from the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. Marquez shares that expectation, but cautions against overinterpreting a single race outcome.
“Hopefully it will be Jerez, a bit like last year,” he said.
“But it’s not like if we do badly in Jerez, we’ll do badly in every race of the year.”
He also highlighted the importance of personal adaptation during the transition from GP24 to GP26, noting that the latter demands a more refined setup approach and rider input.
“You go from an ideal bike to one you have to adapt to a little more. I also have to improve; during this break I’ve done a lot of self-criticism.”
From a technical standpoint, the GP26 offers a broader setup window and greater adjustability compared to its predecessor, but this also introduces complexity in extracting optimal performance. In a highly competitive field, the ability to converge on an effective setup quickly is critical to maintaining championship momentum.
With pressure mounting from Aprilia’s early-season consistency and Ducati’s expectations remaining high, the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix will serve as an important reference point. It will indicate whether Marquez’s adaptation process and Ducati’s development trajectory are beginning to align as the championship moves deeper into the European phase.
Baca Juga
Alex Marquez mengakui Ducati GP26 lebih menantang dibanding GP24 di awal MotoGP 2026, namun yakin masih ada potensi pengembangan.
Jorge Martin menghadapi MotoGP Spanyol 2026 dengan performa kuat bersama Aprilia, namun mengakui Jerez bisa jadi tantangan terberat musim ini.
Maverick Vinales dipastikan absen di MotoGP Spanyol 2026 setelah operasi bahu, sementara Tech3 kehilangan pengganti akibat cedera Pol Espargaro.
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