Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia has conceded that Ducati need to take inspiration from Alex Marquez and Gresini after a torrid Spanish Grand Prix.
The Bologna Bullets have had a difficult start to the 2026 season. They were without a Sunday podium heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, and Ducati could not even score a point at Jerez.
Ducati are on their worst run for 12 years – is a dynasty falling?
Marc Marquez won the Sprint from pole position after he was not controversially penalised for cutting the grass at turn 13 to pit for his wet bike after crashing. But on Sunday, he crashed heavily at turn 11 on lap two after being overtaken by Alex Marquez.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia struggled for pace all weekend, fortuitously finishing second as rain hit the track. In the Grand Prix, he could mount a real challenge before an issue with the front of the bike forced him to retire.
Francesco Bagnaia tells Ducati to ‘copy’ Alex Marquez’s approach with the GP26
Bagnaia has not finished higher than ninth thus far on Sundays as he struggles to get to grips with the Desmosedici. Fortunately for Ducati, they ended Aprilia’s 100% start to 2026 as Alex Marquez clinched victory at Jerez.
The Gresini rider has been suffering on the GP26, with Marquez previously admitting he is ‘trying to survive’ on the bike. But at Jerez, he and the team seemed to turn a corner, and Bagnaia wants Ducati to study their methods.
Speaking to TNT Sports 2 after the race, Bagnaia hopes Ducati follow Gresini’s path with the GP26: “I think we did a little step forward today. My feeling on the bike was a bit better, but Alex and the Gresini team did an amazing job. They worked much better and they improved a lot.
Marc Marquez has never come back from a deficit larger than 37 points
With the gap to Marco Bezzecchi now 44, are his title hopes over?
“He was struggling a lot with the GP26, and this Jerez weekend, they improved a lot. So, we just need to study them and maybe copy them.”
The Jerez test on Monday will be the perfect chance to analyse the data. Asked what the focus would be, the Italian replied: “Understand some new solutions that Ducati brings and try to copy Alex to improve.”
Bagnaia has had to ‘completely’ change his braking system on the 2026 Ducati as he once again struggles to find a feeling for the bike. He looks lost on the machine and cannot break into the top five and challenge the frontrunners.
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