MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Davide Tardozzi admits Ducati must “work hard and bring everything out” after a surprisingly difficult start to the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.
The opening round proved challenging for the Italian manufacturer, with Fabio Di Giannantonio finishing as the best Ducati rider but still behind all four Aprilia machines and the KTM of Pedro Acosta. The result also brought an end to Ducati’s remarkable run of 88 consecutive MotoGP grand prix podiums.
Ducati’s difficulties were compounded when reigning world champion Marc Marquez lost a potential podium result due to wheel rim damage during the main race in Buriram.
“Aprilia did a great job, and Marco Bezzecchi is in fantastic form.”
“We need to work hard and bring out everything we have.”
Tardozzi stressed that Ducati must now ensure its riders return to podium contention as the championship moves forward.
“We need to put the riders in a position to fight for the podium again.”
“All our riders have suffered from the grip changes from last Sunday’s test to this weekend; their performances have dropped.”
“That’s not an excuse; we need to evaluate the reasons.”
Despite the disappointing start, Tardozzi cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions based on the Buriram race alone. According to the Ducati team manager, the next rounds of the season will provide a clearer picture of the competitive order.
“After taking four slaps in the face, because that’s the truth, we’re getting to the tracks that will reveal the true order: Austin, Qatar and Jerez.”
In the early 2026 championship standings, Pedro Acosta leads the title race after his Sprint victory in Thailand. He currently heads the quartet of Aprilia riders including Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Jorge Martin, and Ai Ogura.
Meanwhile, Acosta’s KTM team-mate Brad Binder sits sixth in the standings, followed by Di Giannantonio and Marquez after a dramatic opening weekend of the 2026 MotoGP season.
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