Valentino Rossi and VR46 have made clear that they don’t want one Ducati-backed rider for 2026

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Ducati general manager Luigi Dall’Igna is considering whether to field six equal bikes for the 2026 MotoGP season, according to a report. As it stands, there are only three factory-spec Desmosedici motorcycles.

Alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio received a GP25 for the current campaign. Teammate Franco Morbidelli is still on the older model.

VR46 replaced Pramac as the second-in-command team in the Ducati stable, with Gresini third. However, Alex Marquez has upset that pecking order by emerging as his brother’s nearest challenger.

Now, according to MOW, there are ‘rumours in the paddock’ that Dall’Igna could wipe out the hierarchy, ‘confident’ that there will be no major technical innovations from his rivals. This could require an adjustment to the financial agreement with VR46.

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team don’t want to drop Franco Morbidelli for Fermin Aldeguer

Ducati want to reward Alex Marquez, who has been ‘exceptional’ this year. They feel they can’t ignore his performances given that he’s clearly ‘worthy’ of factory support.

Perhaps more importantly, teammate Fermin Aldeguer is contractually entitled to a ‘latest-generation’ Ducati in his second season. Aldeguer has picked up the fewest points of the sextet, but that was to be expected given his rookie status.

He already has a Grand Prix podium to his name, as well as two more in the Sprint. In theory, Ducati could move him to VR46 and keep the same structure in place, but this is not considered ‘viable’.

Di Giannantonio is under contract, and while Morbidelli’s deal expires at the end of the season, ‘no one at VR46’ is willing to let him go to sign Aldeguer. In these circumstances, Dall’Igna’s plan looks like the best solution.

Where Dorna stand on Fermin Aldeguer getting a factory-spec Ducati

Ducati want to ‘pamper’ Aldeguer because they believe he can be their answer to Pedro Acosta. Acosta has been strongly linked to VR46 this season, but that rumour has now gone quiet.

Giacomo Agostini says Ducati should consider Aldeguer for 2027 if Bagnaia moves on. On a top-of-the-range bike next year, he may be able to make his case.

Dorna are in favour of Aldeguer getting an upgrade as they seek to promote the sport’s young talent. Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue to exert influence as CEO despite Liberty Media’s takeover.

Aldeguer was initially outshone by Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura, last year’s Moto2 champion. But Ogura has struggled ever since an injury at the British GP and may no longer be the highest-rated rookie on the grid.