Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati’s poor start to the 2026 MotoGP season has exposed the cost of signing Marc Marquez, veteran rider manager Carlo Pernat says.
At least one Ducati rider had finished on the podium in 88 consecutive races, but that streak came to an end at the Thailand Grand Prix. Reigning champion Marquez was chasing Raul Fernandez for third when he suffered a race-ending puncture.
VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio was the next best Ducati in sixth, with Aprilia locking out four of the top five positions. Marquez’s factory teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, was only P9.
A changing of the guard or just a blip to start the season? 🤔
Let us know in the comments below!
Ducati ‘destroyed’ Francesco Bagnaia by signing Marc Marquez
Speaking to Formula Passion, Pernat applauded Aprilia’s ‘remarkable lead forward’, giving credit to technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini and team manager Massimo Rivola.
But he suggested that they were facing a weakened Ducati. Bagnaia is no longer the same rider after he was routed by Marquez in last year’s intra-team battle.
In fact, Bagnaia is moving to Aprilia for 2027 after Ducati effectively forced him out by swooping for Pedro Acosta.
Pernat says Ducati can’t count on the VR46 duo either, leaving them with ‘only one rider’ in practical terms. They lost Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin at the end of 2024.
Was Marc Marquez’s dig at Pedro Acosta really necessary?
Acosta told reporters in Thailand that 'it wasn't a one-day [championship] lead like Marc said'.
“Right now, if we look at things carefully, Aprilia has made a remarkable leap forward thanks to Sterlacchini and Rivola’s decisions and everything,” he said.
“Ducati is paying the price of Marquez’s arrival, which has destroyed Bagnaia a bit psychologically; it has changed him. Bagnaia is not there, Ducati has only one rider, who is Marquez.
“Di Giannantonio is not there, Morbidelli is not there, they are not in a good position in terms of riders. There is only Marquez, because Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia arrive, but they lose a lot of seconds.
“Bagnaia seems like a different person; he suffered mentally against Marquez and still does now. He did the right thing in deciding to leave and choose Aprilia. When the announcement is made, it will be even more beautiful.”
Ducati are falling into the Honda trap with Marc Marquez, but it’s worth it
Pernat totally ignores Alex Marquez, who finished runner-up behind his brother in last year’s championship and displayed superb consistency. The Gresini rider failed to score in Thailand after retiring from the race but a P7 in qualifying suggests he will be a factor going forward.
Teammate Fermin Aldeguer missed the event through injury and is targeting a return in Brazil. His absence from testing puts him at a disadvantage, but he remains one of the most exciting talents on the grid.
Even if Ducati have become overreliant on Marquez, it’s hard to imagine there will be any regrets about signing him. He cruised to the championship last year with 11 wins from 18 starts.
At Honda, the gap between Marquez and the rest of the riders progressively grew over time. In 2019, he produced one of the most dominant seasons ever, while no other RC231V rider finished in the top eight.
That imbalance may not be entirely healthy, but one can be almost certain that Honda would take Marquez back without hesitation.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
