Marc Marquez Rejects Ducati Return to GP24

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Marc Marquez of Ducati has made clear that development of the Desmosedici must continue forward rather than reverting to previous specifications, despite ongoing front-end concerns with the 2026 GP26.

The discussion follows the Spanish Grand Prix, where Alex Marquez secured victory with a race time approximately 7.5 seconds faster than his own winning benchmark from the previous season. The improvement highlights the underlying performance gains delivered by the latest package, even as riders continue to adapt to its characteristics.

Several Ducati riders have reported difficulties in achieving consistent front-end feeling, an area where the GP24 was widely regarded as a strength. This has prompted consideration of whether a partial return to earlier specifications could offer a more stable baseline. However, Marquez believes such an approach would be strategically flawed.

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"In the end, from what I understand from the engineers, we can ride a GP24 base because the bike shares the same foundation. If you want to go back, you can," Marquez explained.

"But you always remember the feeling from the bike you won with. Meanwhile, the competitors keep gaining tenths and tenths, so we have to keep moving forward."

Performance gains are not limited to Ducati. Aprilia has demonstrated clear progress, particularly through Marco Bezzecchi, who leads the championship standings early in the season. Despite a setback in the Spanish Grand Prix, his overall race pace showed a substantial improvement compared to 2025.

Other Aprilia riders, including Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura, also recorded significant time gains, reinforcing the manufacturer’s development trajectory. The same trio occupied the top positions in the post-race test, with additional feedback from Jorge Martin pointing to continued technical progress.

"When you start the season across different tracks, layouts, and tyre conditions, and Aprilia is winning, it means the bike is working well," Marquez added.

Despite the competitive pressure, Ducati retains a strong baseline, underlined by Alex Marquez’s victory in Jerez. The focus now remains on refining the GP26 package to close gaps to emerging rivals while maintaining consistency across varying circuit demands.

With rapid development defining the early phase of the 2026 MotoGP season, Ducati’s decision to push forward rather than revert could prove decisive. The outcomes from Jerez now form a critical reference point as the championship moves into its next sequence of races.