MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team reflected on an intense and aggressive battle with Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo Team during the 2026 Brazil MotoGP in Goiania.
The duel between the two Ducati riders became one of the defining storylines of the weekend, spanning both the Sprint and the grand prix. Marquez emerged victorious in Saturday’s Sprint, securing his first win of the 2026 season, while Sunday’s race saw Di Giannantonio respond by claiming third place after another close contest.
The decisive moment came when Marquez ran wide at Turn 11, an area affected by track surface degradation. Di Giannantonio capitalised on the error to complete a crucial overtake and secure the final podium position behind the dominant Aprilia Racing riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin.
“Today it was ‘me or me’. I was fully committed.”
“I had the opportunity to make the pass, and he made exactly the same mistake I made previously.”
Di Giannantonio described the battle as both aggressive and enjoyable, highlighting Marquez’s racing style as a key factor in the intensity of the fight while emphasising that the duel remained fair.
“As always, it was a bit aggressive with him, but super fun and clean in the end.”
“I enjoyed it, maybe even more because I won the battle.”
The podium result also reinforces Di Giannantonio’s recent consistency as the leading Ducati rider across multiple events, continuing a trend that began at the end of last season. His ability to extract performance from the Ducati package under varying conditions has positioned him as a strong contender in the early stages of the championship.
In contrast, Marquez has yet to finish as the top Ducati rider in a grand prix since his last victory in San Marino, despite remaining competitive in direct on-track battles and showing strong pace in Sprint conditions.
With Aprilia currently setting the benchmark in Brazil, intra-manufacturer competition within Ducati has become an increasingly significant factor in shaping podium outcomes. The dynamic between Di Giannantonio and Marquez is expected to remain a key storyline as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the upcoming round at the Circuit of the Americas will provide a different technical challenge, with both riders aiming to build on their Brazil performances as the championship battle continues to intensify.
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