Marco Bezzecchi
Luigi Dall’Igna says Marc Marquez is facing ‘uncharacteristic difficulties’ on Ducati’s GP26 bike. Marquez is fifth in the championship heading into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
Marquez claimed his first victory of the year in the Brazil Sprint last time out, but he missed out on the podium in the main race. It’s the first time he has finished outside the top three in successive races since the back end of 2024.
Had Marquez not suffered a tyre failure during the Thailand GP, he could well be second in the standings right now behind Bezzecchi. But hopes of a dominant title defence have certainly taken a hit in the first two rounds.
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Luigi Dall’Igna admits Marc Marquez’s feel for the bike has become ‘sketchy’
Writing in his customary post-race LinkedIn post, Dall’Igna conceded that Marquez is not yet at one with Ducati’s 2026 bike. He lost out to satellite rider Fabio Di Giannantonio in both qualifying and the main race.
Marquez crashed in qualifying, a mistake that may have cost him pole, but he was one of several riders caught out at turn four.
While Dall’Igna applauded the 33-year-old for showing the ‘resilience’ of a champion, there is an acknowledgement at Ducati that they can’t simply rely on Marquez’s talent to stop Aprilia’s charge.
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Marco Bezzecchi has won the first two races, and four in a row stretching back to last season. Ominously, Jorge Martin followed him home in Brazil to complete a one-two.
Dall’Igna wrote: “Marc faced uncharacteristic difficulties, riding on the defensive as he struggled with pace and a sketchy feel for the bike.
“Despite this, he showed immense resolve, riding aggressively to extract every ounce of potential. However, even the resilience typical of a champion was not enough to overcome the day’s limitations.”
‘He was definitely suffering’ – Dani Pedrosa on Marc Marquez
Speaking to DAZN, via Marca, Marquez’s former teammate Dani Pedrosa agreed that he looked ‘uncomfortable’. Pedrosa noticed that he was particularly sensitive to bumps.
Marquez has a unique ability to ride beyond the apparent limits of the motorcycle, but he hasn’t reached that point yet with this year’s Ducati. The Spaniard was still struggling with his 2025 shoulder injury at the season opener in Thailand but looked fitter in Brazil.
“Marc looked a bit uncomfortable on the bike, with some minor wobbles in many areas of the track,” said Pedrosa. “Especially when he went over bumps, trying to push hard in some corners.
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“We saw it, and we saw how quickly the bike told him no. So, he has a special ability to manage that limit, and that’s why he was able to stay close to Di Giannantonio and not give him any confidence in terms of gaining an advantage.
“So, in the last few laps, he battled him for the podium position, but he didn’t have everything Marc normally has to offer, and I don’t know if it was just a physical issue or just a matter of the bike’s setup, or a combination of both. But he was definitely suffering.”
There is a feeling at Ducati that Aprilia have benefited from Michelin’s harder tyre casing, a special measure for the extreme heat in Thailand and Brazil. A clearer picture of the pecking order may emerge in the upcoming races.
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