Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez is the latest member in the Ducati stable to receive factory support from a Ducati-backed satellite team in MotoGP, and has compared his previous specification of bike to the new-for-2026 GP26.
After a breakout season in 2025 that saw him claim the runners-up spot in the riders’ championship, Alex Marquez was rewarded by Ducati with a factory bike for the upcoming term.
He was previously racing atop the GP24, a specification that had become synonymous with the top step of the podium through its sheer dominance during the 2024 campaign.
Despite Marc Marquez’s formidable performances in 2025 with the GP25, the 2024-spec was still regarded as the benchmark on the grid, given Francesco Bagnaia’s inability to gel with the bike after such an impressive campaign in the year prior.
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Alex Marquez notes that the GP26 only has ‘small differences’ compared to the GP24
So far, the body language of each factory-supported Ducati rider has been positive following their first laps with the GP26.
What’s more, Bagnaia has revealed his satisfaction with the new machine, highlighting how he has already found a good feeling on the bike after searching for it throughout the entirety of the 2025 term.
Following the second day of testing in Malaysia, Marquez was asked by the on-site journalists about his thoughts on the calibre of Ducati’s latest challenger.
Speaking via Speedweek, the three-time Grand Prix winner said, “Currently, I’m riding a kind of hybrid between last year’s bike and the new machine, and I’ve crashed with it.
“I think we have a really good package. For me, the good character of my old bike [the GP24] is still there, but the differences are small.”
The younger Marquez brother will be eyeing a shot at dethroning his eight world title-winning elder this season, and the fact that he is experiencing the same sort of feeling on the new bike certainly bodes well for his aspirations.
It was predicted that the Gresini rider would struggle on the GP26, due to Bagnaia’s tumultuous time on the GP25, following the official announcement from Ducati that he would be receiving factory support this year.
Of course, it is still far too early to deem the Spaniard a success with it, but any confidence gained during the testing phase of the 2026 will be a big boost once racing begins at the end of the month.
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Alex Marquez explains his crash on day two of MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test
Marquez’s second day of testing the GP26 at Sepang was hindered by an off at turn five just before the lunch break.
Luckily, a heavy rain shower came soon after, meaning he wouldn’t be losing out on any valuable track time to his rivals due to the stricken prototype.
Asked by journalists for his opinion about what caused the crash, Marquez said, “I did many laps on used tyres. Then we fitted a new soft tyre. The difference in grip is incredible; you have to adjust to it.
“The bike pushes, and I overstressed the front tyre. I was very annoyed with myself – I didn’t mean to damage the motorcycle like that.”
Joan Mir was the benchmark upon the conclusion of the second day, indicating that Honda may prove to be a thorn in the side of Ducati as the Italian constructor looks to secure a seventh consecutive title this year.
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