Marco Bezzecchi
Joining the MotoGP championship in 2003, Ducati have had one of the most successful and dominant eras in motorcycle racing history.
The Borgo Panigale outfit joined the premier class after the first MotoGP season in 2002. It did not take Ducati long to establish themselves as a frontrunner, winning their first riders’ and constructors’ championship in 2007.
They would not win a title again until 2020. While they had some of the sport’s greatest riders, such as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, they struggled to find performance from the Desmosedici.
Ducati would eventually strike gold in the 2020s. Spearheaded by Luigi Dall’Igna and Davide Tardozzi, they have won every constructors’ title since the turn of the decade and have won the last five riders’ championships, four of which from the factory team.
They have housed some exceptional talent over the years, some helping to develop the team to what it is today and others reaping the success of their bike. So, here are the top five Ducati riders of all time.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Ducati from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
5 Loris Capirossi – Seven wins in 82 starts
Loris Capirossi was part of Ducati’s first line-up in MotoGP in 2003. Spending five years with the team, he played a pivotal role in building them to success.
Carrying the Desmosedici to consistent points finishes and podiums, the Italian recorded his best finish of third in MotoGP in 2006. The following year, he was part of the Ducati squad that won their first-ever premier class championship.
Unfortunately, while his teammate won the title, who appears later on this list, Capirossi struggled with the GP7 and finished down in seventh. It ultimately led to his exit, joining Suzuki in 2008.
Seven wins in 82 starts make Capirossi one of Ducati’s most experienced riders in MotoGP. While he never claimed the championship, his efforts for the team deserve recognition.
4 Andrea Dovizioso – 14 wins in 141 starts
Joining Ducati in 2013, Andrea Dovizioso had huge shoes to fill as he replaced Valentino Rossi. The MotoGP legend’s move to Borgo Panigale failed miserably, and it took time for his fellow countryman to adapt.
But as Honda’s dynasty in the 2010s slowly started to fade, Ducati began to catch up. Dovizioso used that to his advantage, displaying solid consistency that eventually turned him into a championship contender.
Winning his first race for the manufacturer in 2016, he claimed six victories the following year, but missed out on the title by 27 points. His P2 in the championship was the highest finish of any Ducati rider since 2008 – a result he would repeat in 2018 and 2019.
Dovizioso is Ducati’s most experienced rider with 141 starts in eight seasons. His efforts went a long way to turning the team into what it is today, but he finished runner-up three times to the next rider on this list.
3 Marc Marquez – One world title – 11 wins in 18 starts
There is absolutely no question about it; Marc Marquez pulled off one of the greatest sporting comebacks in history by winning the MotoGP title in 2025 with Ducati.
After years of pain at Honda following his accident in 2020, he knew he needed the fastest bike on the grid to see if he could compete again. One year at Gresini led to a move to Ducati in 2025, and it resulted in utter dominance.
11 wins from 18 Grand Prix and 14 Sprint victories gave the Ant of Cervera his seventh MotoGP title and ninth overall with five rounds to spare. Dall’Igna found Marquez’s achievements ‘impossible’ to comprehend, even though he had signed arguably the best rider of all time.
Injury ended Marquez’s season early and possibly puts him on the back foot in 2026, but he has proven again that he is the dominant force in the sport. He will certainly be capable of more at Ducati, but two riders stand above him in the red team’s history.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
2 Casey Stoner – One world title – 23 wins in 67 starts
For a two-time MotoGP champion, Casey Stoner had a relatively short career. But he certainly made it count, especially with Ducati.
Joining the team after his debut MotoGP season in 2007, the Australian was instantly competitive. While he, like Capirossi, struggled with the GP7’s tricky nature, he made it work, collecting 10 wins from 18 races, handing him and Ducati their first title.
Stoner lost out to Rossi in 2008, but remained a frontrunner with Ducati. His impressive riding style made him a feared competitor on the track.
He left Ducati for Honda in 2011, where he won his second title. 23 wins from 67 starts make Stoner one of the greats at Borgo Panigale, but he is not quite at the top.
1 Francesco Bagnaia – Two world titles – 31 wins in 99 starts
Ducati had to wait 15 years after Stoner’s 2007 triumph to have another MotoGP champion. In 2022, Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia became their saviour.
The Italian was promoted to the factory team from Pramac in 2021 and was instantly a title contender. He missed out on the title in his first year to Fabio Quartararo, but got the edge over the Frenchman the following year.
Known for his aggressive talent in braking and corner entry, Bagnaia racked up seven wins and 15 podiums from 19 races to grab his second title in 2023. He remains the only Ducati rider to win multiple titles in MotoGP.
Pecco statistically had his best season in 2024, with 11 wins and 16 podiums from 20 races, but he lost the title to Jorge Martin by 10 points. He suffered a disastrous season in 2025, as he struggled to find a feeling from the GP25.
Bagnaia is under pressure to stay at Ducati as his contract expires in 2026. But his past achievements cannot be taken from him, as he stands as the rider who helped turn the team into a dynasty.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Honourable mention – Jack Miller – Three wins from 28 starts
He may have won only three races with Ducati, but Jack Miller did play a role in the team’s success during his two years with the team.
The Aussie joined Ducati alongside Bagnaia, having been teammates at Pramac in 2020. The pair challenged Quartararo for the championship in 2021, with Miller registering his best MotoGP finish of fourth.
He finished fifth the following year with seven podiums, the most he has ever scored in a single season, as Bagnaia clinched the title. Miller was replaced by Enea Bastianini in 2023 and moved to KTM, where he desperately struggled for two years before returning to Pramac.
He was not Ducati’s most successful rider by any means, but his technical expertise and huge character made Miller a crowd favourite, and a key member of the Borgo Panigale outfit as they stamped their authority in MotoGP.
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