Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez is adamant that Ducati’s difficult start to the 2026 MotoGP season has “nothing” to do with Marc Marquez’s injury, as Aprilia are now doing a “better” job.
Ducati are currently enduring their longest win drought since they went five and a half years without a Grand Prix victory between 2010 and 2016, having now failed to win either of the past five races. Aprilia rival Marco Bezzecchi has even won each of the past five Grands Prix.
Bezzecchi’s record-breaking run, having also led each lap during his run of five straight wins, has also helped to see Ducati record their worst start to a MotoGP season since 2021. Ducati saw at least one rider win on a Desmosedici across the first three rounds from 2022 to 2025.
Starting the 2026 season with a perfect Sunday record has even helped Bezzecchi lead his Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin at the top of the riders’ standings, on 81 and 77 points. VR46 ace Fabio Di Giannantonio on his GP26 is the best Ducati rider in fourth place with 50 points.
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Alex Marquez thinks Aprilia are just doing a ‘better job’ than Ducati in 2026
Di Giannantonio has also taken the only Grand Prix podium finish by a Ducati rider so far this year after securing P3 in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Marc Marquez won the Sprint in Brazil, but the works Ducati racer ranks fifth in the standings with 45 points after the first three rounds.
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Yet while Ducati test rider Michele Pirro believes Marc Marquez’s shoulder injury has been a “limitation”, as well as the issues they have faced with the GP26, Gresini ace Alex Marquez is adamant that Aprilia have simply done a better job with the RS-GP given their stronger start.
“Ducati’s current situation has nothing to do with Marc’s injury,” Alex Marquez claimed, via quotes by AS. “Aprilia, another factory, have taken a step forward from Ducati this year and are doing better. How long will this last? We don’t know. And until what track? We’ll see.”
Marc Marquez required surgery back in October, when he sustained a coracoid fracture and ligament damage in his right shoulder after his trip through the gravel at Mandalika. He was accidentally taken out by Aprilia rival Bezzecchi on the first lap in the Indonesian Grand Prix.
The injury sidelined Marquez for the final four rounds of last year, and he is still trying to get back to full fitness. Andrea Dovizioso fears Marquez’s situation is “much more serious” than it may seem, as well, after having to adapt his approach so far this season due to the injury.
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