Alex Marquez Reacts to Bagnaia Praise, What Next?

Alex Marquez has responded to praise from Francesco Bagnaia following his victory at the 2026 Spanish MotoGP, as Ducati continues evaluating its technical direction after Jerez.

Marquez’s win marked a significant reference point for Ducati, particularly as the factory team seeks solutions to limitations identified on the GP26. Bagnaia returned to action during Monday’s test after retiring from the race with a technical issue, focusing primarily on aerodynamic upgrades and electronic adjustments aimed at improving braking stability.

From a technical perspective, Ducati concentrated on enhancing cornering performance through revised aerodynamic components, while also working on engine braking strategies to stabilise the bike during deceleration. Bagnaia acknowledged progress in aero efficiency but indicated that the electronic refinements had yet to deliver a complete solution.

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"I’m very happy and satisfied with the aerodynamics because I think we made a step in cornering, which was something I was missing," Bagnaia said.

He also pointed to Marquez’s performance as a valuable benchmark, suggesting that the data from the Gresini rider’s race-winning set-up could guide further development work within the factory team.

"One really good thing is that we have Alex Marquez, so we can clearly see what he achieved this weekend, and it would be useful if we can follow that direction," he added.

Reacting to those comments, Marquez expressed appreciation while emphasising the structured approach taken after a difficult start to the season. His performance in Jerez followed a return to a base set-up derived from the previous GP24 configuration before refining it for the current package.

"I’m really happy for Pecco’s words. We kept working in a very good way and tried not to panic after the first rounds," Marquez said.

He explained that reverting to a familiar base provided a stable platform to rebuild confidence and performance, highlighting the importance of continuity when adapting to a new technical package.

Marquez also tested Ducati’s latest aerodynamic updates during the post-race session but noted that drawing definitive conclusions from a single circuit was difficult, particularly given Jerez’s layout characteristics. Further validation will be required at circuits with higher-speed corner profiles.

In the broader competitive context, Ducati continues to face pressure from Aprilia, whose riders dominated the test timesheets. This underlines the need for continued development, particularly in areas such as corner speed and consistency over race distance.

With the French Grand Prix at Le Mans approaching, the effectiveness of Ducati’s latest updates will be closely monitored. The next round will provide a contrasting circuit environment, offering a clearer indication of whether the progress seen at Jerez can be sustained as the 2026 MotoGP season advances.