Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez may not face a serious internal threat at Ducati next year. There are question marks surrounding every other rider on a Desmosedici motorcycle.
Alex Marquez was excellent in 2025 and finished runner-up in the championship, a performance that has earned him an upgrade to factory machinery for next year. But the 29-year-old finished 78 points behind his brother despite appearing in eight more races (including Sprints).
Marquez Jr may not be able to get any better, particularly if the theory that the GP24 was the best bike on last year’s grid proves correct. Elsewhere, Francesco Bagnaia’s slide to fifth in the championship has led many to write off his chances.
Who is the biggest threat to Marc Marquez in 2026?
Fabio Di Giannantonio will ride a GP26 next year but he, like teammate Franco Morbidelli, is fighting for his future after a somewhat underwhelming 2025.
Fermin Aldeguer: I have the equipment to win the title, but I’m not ready
Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer had the potential to be a dark horse in his second year. He won his first Grand Prix in Indonesia and showed world-beating pace at times.
General manager Luigi Dall’Igna has even called Aldeguer the future of Ducati given his contractual ties to the brand.
Indeed, there are those in Bologna who think Aldeguer can beat Marquez in a straight fight when he realises his ‘potential’.
But according to the rider himself, that will not be in 2026. He has the ‘equipment’ he needs, but not the ‘experience’.
Is Fermin Aldeguer a future MotoGP world champion?
“No,” he bluntly said when asked if he could fight for the title. “As for having the power, having the equipment and everything, yes.
“Is it a goal? No, because I lack a lot of experience, I have to make a lot of mistakes, the level of the category right now is very high and I don’t know if I’m ready to win a MotoGP world championship. That I will be… I hope so.”
For Aldeguer, the more realistic short-term objective is to beat Alex Marquez. Last year, he only finished ahead of him four times and outqualified him twice.
“If I beat him, it means we’re doing very well, or at least if he does the same as this season. Beating my teammate is a goal, but I’m not just focused on him.
“I’m simply focused on continuing to learn, continuing to take steps forward, consistently staying in the top five, being there, fighting for much more, but I’m not focused on ‘Wow, I have to beat Alex next year.’
“Obviously, if I do, all the better; it will mean we’re fighting for very big things, because he’ll be one of the candidates to be fighting for the top three positions in the world championship.”
What are Marc Marquez’s rivals saying about their 2026 title chances?
On the other side of the Gresini garage, Alex Marquez says he would be happy to finish second behind his brother once again. Nadia Padovani’s riders are clearly trying to manage expectations.
Bezzecchi says he will be ‘ready’ to face Marquez after a winter of intense physical and mental preparation. He recognises the importance of making as few mistakes as possible.
Bagnaia felt confident leaving the Valencia test, but his attitude at the end of the winter programme in Malaysia and Thailand will be more telling.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
