Ducati now ‘considering changing’ one aspect of 2026 MotoGP rider line-up that will worry Fabio Di Giannantonio

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Fabio Di Giannantonio has been having difficulties in 2025 with Ducati. The VR46 rider has not adapted well to the GP25.

The Italian was handed the third factory bike spot for this season after defending champion Jorge Martin and Pramac left Ducati. It marks the first time Di Giannantonio has ridden factory machinery in MotoGP as he races on the GP25 alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

However, the 2025 Desmosedici has proven to be not much of a step forward from the GP24, which won 16 out of 20 races in 2024. Furthermore, only Marquez seems to have adapted properly to the machine; he jumped two specs from the GP23 and has been dominating on the GP25.

The Spaniard has won eight out of 12 races this season as he leads the championship by 120 points. Meanwhile, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have not had the same success on the GP25, with the former winning just one race, while the latter has been on the podium twice.

Bagnaia has constantly complained about a lack of feeling on the bike, with Ducati taking strides to help him, such as adding new brake discs to improve braking. While the 28-year-old has seen its benefits, Di Giannantonio did not have the same feeling as Bagnaia.

The VR46 rider has struggled in recent weeks, having crashed out from second at Sachsenring. Diggia suffered a disastrous weekend at the Czech Grand Prix as he missed out on Q2 and finished down in 16th, prompting speculation that Ducati could make a change for 2026.

Ducati now ‘considering changing’ who gets the 2026 factory bike amid Fabio Di Giannantonio struggles

Speaking via Motorsport Espana, journalist Oriol Puigdemont says that Ducati are now ‘considering changing’ the 2026 line-up and who gets the third factory bike. The manufacturer will hand it to the rider who ‘deserves’ it the most.

“Another thing that’s absolutely, very difficult to understand is Fabio Di Giannantonio’s weekend, which has been absolutely inexplicable, the hole he’s in,” he said, speaking about the Italian’s weekend in Brno.

“And we’ll see why, theoretically, he has official status for next year, but of course, this is another thing that Ducati, as you know, isn’t going to give away.

“But we’ll see how things develop, because next year, there are many riders vying for that bike, that bike of the year.

“As far as I know, Ducati is considering changing, that is, not taking away the 2026 GP from anyone, but maybe giving it to whoever they think deserves it.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Di Giannantonio from net worth to AS Roma

Alex Marquez is the obvious candidate to take the Ducati factory bike for 2026

Di Giannantonio is currently three points ahead of VR46 teammate Franco Morbidelli in the standings. The 26-year-old could well retain his factory bike for 2026, but as Puigdemont mentioned, several riders will be after the machine next season.

Diggia and Bagnaia have been outperformed by Alex Marquez in 2025, who has displayed incredible consistency on the GP24, finishing outside the top two seven times out of 24 races, including Sprints.

Jorge Lorenzo says Marquez deserves a factory seat with his performances. While a move to Ducati is not on the cards for 2026, with his brother Marc and Bagnaia having contracts, the Borgo Panigale outfit could hand him the GP26 for next season.

Marc Marquez hinted that Alex Marquez could receive ‘gifts’ from Ducati if his form continued. As he has been the second-strongest rider at the manufacturer and in the championship, it would surely be a no-brainer to put him on the factory bike if Di Giannantonio’s woes carry on.