Marco Bezzecchi
Sylvain Guintoli believes Ducati’s 2026 season depends greatly on their performance at Jerez this weekend, as a loss to Aprilia could be game over for them.
Despite winning the 2025 constructors’ championship, Ducati have not looked like champions this season when compared to their rivals, Aprilia.
Aprilia have dominated out the gate, managing to win each race so far and earning one-two finishes in two of the three races this season.
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Aprilia’s in-race advantage over Ducati has been clear to see, as both Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have looked significantly slower compared to Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
Ducati have been dominant at the Spanish Grand Prix in recent years. But losing their streak at Jerez won’t just wound their pride; it could also derail their season.
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Sylvain Guintoli claims Ducati must win ‘massive battle’ against Aprilia at the Spanish GP
Speaking on the Gas it Out podcast, Sylvain Guintoli spoke about the Spanish Grand Prix and the resumption of the battle between Aprilia and Ducati.
He believes Aprilia have shown a level of dominance few would have expected this time last year. But Ducati must overcome this dominance for the sake of their season at Jerez.
“Aprilia, though, you can’t really compare them to last season. Especially the start of last season. They’ve made so much in rows during the second part of last year and during the winter.
“It’s a completely different package now. I think the battle is definitely on. Martin is going to be super strong as well, because he’s still progressing and recovering.
“We’ve got a massive battle on our hands. If Aprilia manage to win in Jerez, Ducati are going to be in massive trouble for the rest of the season.”
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Sylvain Guintoli explains why Ducati are under ‘maximum pressure’ ahead of Spanish GP
Speaking further on the podcast, Guintoli noted that Aprilia have defied expectations with their performance this season.
But Marc Marquez and Ducati’s track record at Jerez, combined with their struggles against Aprilia this season, puts them under immense pressure to win this weekend.
“It matters so much because Aprilia have dominated so much at the start of the season. We’ve been running out of excuses.
“We thought the first two in Thailand and Brazil with the treated tyre, ‘Right, okay, they can use that better. They’ve got more side grip, and this is the difference.’
“We then go to Austin, the standard rear tyre, and they still destroy everybody. Now, going back to Jerez, it is that reference. It’s Ducati’s back garden. They’ve been winning the last five years, dominating.
“Marc Marquez is super quick there as well. He’s had another three weeks to recover from his shoulder. Everything is on the line there. Maximum pressure for them.”
Marc Marquez’s real championship battle will begin at the Spanish Grand Prix, as the legendary rider is expected to be healthier than he was at any point in the first three races this season.
With some much-needed recovery time, Marquez could return to his title-winning form last year and begin mounting a comeback against Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
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