Entering the crucial final five rounds of the MotoGP 2026 world championship, Ducati general manager Gigi Dall'Igna has confessed that this year's title battle carries a deeply personal feel. The Bologna-based manufacturer is locked in a fierce championship fight against Aprilia for both the riders' and constructors' crowns in what has become an extraordinary season.
The battle at the summit of the riders' standings represents one of the closest margins in the sport's history at this advanced stage. Jorge Martin currently holds a razor-thin lead of just two points over Marc Marquez in second place. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi sits 46 points adrift in third. Never before has the gap between the top two contenders been this narrow with only five grands prix remaining on the calendar.
For Dall'Igna, the championship narrative unfolds on a uniquely nostalgic and personal level. Before arriving at Ducati back in 2013, the Italian technical mastermind spent years as a cornerstone of Aprilia's racing department. Furthermore, the two riders currently leading Aprilia's charge are former Ducati-linked stars who ended up at Noale following high-profile rider market movements.
Jorge Martin secured the 2024 world championship aboard a Ducati for Pramac, but ultimately signed with Aprilia after being overlooked for the factory squad seat in favor of Marc Marquez. Facing limited career progression options within the Ducati umbrella, Bezzecchi also chose to make the switch to Aprilia from the VR46 stable, completely reshaping the competitive landscape.
Reflecting on the surreal experience of fighting his former brand and former riders, Dall'Igna offered a candid perspective. As reported by Crash.net, he commented, "It’s true. At the end, it’s my past because of the brand. It’s my past because of the riders, because both of the Aprilia riders were my riders in the past. I didn’t think too much about that, but for sure it’s an interesting question. I have a lot of friends in Aprilia. And, of course, if someone has to beat us, I think it’s better that they are our friends. So, that’s it."
As the season heads into its climax, Aprilia arrives at the upcoming rounds with two riders occupying the top three positions in the standings, with management confirming that team orders remain off the table for now. Ducati realistically relies solely on Marquez for the riders' title challenge, though Dall'Igna admits he would prefer the luxury headache of managing multiple championship contenders within his own garage.
"I think that as many riders you have in front, the better it is. So, I would like to have more than one rider," Dall'Igna concluded, highlighting his desire for absolute dominance.
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