Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Lorenzo has clarified his comments on Ducati after labelling their 2026 bike as a ‘tractor’.
Lorenzo, 39, is a three-time MotoGP world champion, having won the title in 2010, 2012 and 2015 while racing for Yamaha.
The Spaniard is also a two-time champion in the 250cc World Championship, winning in 2006 and 2007.
Recently, while appearing on an episode of the Duralavita podcast, Lorenzo compared the Ducati and Aprilia bikes, labelling the former’s 2026 challenger as a ‘tractor’.
Lorenzo said: “The Aprilia bike is incredible; it sticks to the ground and turns like a mini-bike, whereas the Ducati feels like a tractor.“
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Jorge Lorenzo clarifies comments on Ducati after calling their 2026 bike a ‘tractor’
Now, speaking to Spanish news outlet Marca, Lorenzo has clarified his ‘tractor’ comment, stating there is no ill intention.
The 39-year-old stated that the reason why he called the Ducati a ‘tractor’ is due to it being ‘bigger, rougher and a bit heavier’.
Lorenzo said: “That’s just how it came out. But what I wanted to explain is that the Ducati is bigger, rougher, a bit heavier, especially when cornering… Not that it’s a disaster.
“Obviously, it’s not a disaster; it’s a very competitive bike that’s winning races and isn’t far behind the Aprilia.
“Ever since preseason, when I saw how the Aprilia handled on the track, I said, “This bike is going to win,” because it leans much more, it has much better cornering speed, and I saw it clearly.
“And indeed, when the races come, not only the factory riders, but Ogura is there too, Raúl Fernández is there, and that’s for a reason; it’s because that bike has something extra.”
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Lorenzo went on to praise the 2026 Aprilia bike, calling it ‘impressive’ and ‘very agile’.
The Spaniard added: “It’s impressive. It’s so compact, so low, and so agile. It leans more, it just leans more. It’s like it’s glued to the ground. They’re faster in the tightest left or right chicanes.
“I, who have a keen eye because I’ve been watching this my whole life, saw it right away and said: ‘If Ducati doesn’t do anything between now and the start of the season, it’s going to be impossible.’”
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