MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team has dismissed suggestions that the 2026 Spanish MotoGP at Jerez will reset the competitive order, stating that Aprilia Racing remains the clear benchmark through the consistent performance of Marco Bezzecchi.
Aprilia has opened the 2026 season with three consecutive grand prix victories via Bezzecchi, alongside a sprint win secured by Jorge Martin. In the standings, Bezzecchi leads Martin, while Ducati’s strongest representative is Fabio Di Giannantonio in fourth, trailing by 31 points. This data underlines that Aprilia’s advantage is not track-specific, but rooted in a consistently effective technical package.
Marquez rejected the assumption that Jerez—often considered a “reference circuit”—will naturally favor Ducati. He pointed out that the opening three rounds featured distinct layouts, varying grip levels, and different rear tyre selections, yet produced the same outcome.
“For me, people saying ‘we need to wait for Jerez’… we’ve already raced at three different tracks, with three different layouts and rear tyres, and the winner was the same,” Marquez said.
“At the end, the fact is the fact: Aprilia, especially with Marco, are the clear favourites, and what we need to do is work step by step to get closer to them.”
This assessment reflects a data-driven view of competitive performance rather than assumptions tied to circuit characteristics. From a technical perspective, it suggests Aprilia’s strength lies in a well-balanced package capable of operating across varying conditions, including tyre management, aerodynamic stability, and traction efficiency.
Despite Ducati’s current deficit, Marquez believes the championship situation remains recoverable. He emphasised that the points gap, while significant, is not yet decisive if performance improvements are achieved progressively.
“Even with a difficult first three races, we are not very far in the championship. Let’s see if step by step we can increase our level.”
The extended break following the postponed Qatar Grand Prix provided Marquez with valuable time to improve his physical condition after a shoulder injury. He indicated that his fitness level is now closer to optimal, though performance limitations remain evident on track.
“These three weeks at home were important because I was working on my weak points. The first three races were not easy, especially to manage the full weekend.”
“I was fast in some parts of the race, but not consistently. We know the reason, and we are working on it.”
Marquez also acknowledged that his adaptation to the Ducati GP26 has not yet delivered the expected impact. He noted that a leading rider is required to extract additional performance beyond the baseline capability of the machine—an area he aims to improve in the upcoming rounds.
“When a manufacturer signs you, they expect something extra. That’s what we will try to deliver in the next races.”
This evaluation highlights that Ducati’s challenge extends beyond pure technical development, involving the integration between rider characteristics and machine behaviour. While Aprilia has demonstrated immediate competitiveness, Ducati remains in a phase of optimisation to achieve both peak performance and race consistency.
With Aprilia’s dominance already validated across multiple circuit profiles, the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix represents a critical benchmark for any shift in competitive balance. Should Ducati fail to demonstrate measurable progress at Jerez, the early-season trend is likely to continue, reinforcing Bezzecchi’s status as a leading title contender as the championship enters its European phase.
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