Ducati Acknowledges Marquez Not at 100% as Aprilia Dominates in Brazil

GOIANIA, Brazil – Ducati is navigating a challenging stretch heading into the MotoGP Americas 2026 race at the Circuit of the Americas, having gone without a premier class podium finish until Fabio Di Giannantonio salvaged a third-place result at the Brazilian Grand Prix this past weekend.

Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin of Aprilia finished first and second, respectively, at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia. For a team accustomed to dominance, the recent results have raised concerns, though Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi remains composed.

“First, congratulations to Aprilia, they have been working very well since last year. I think they have been very competitive since the middle of last season,” Tardozzi said, according to MotoSan. “They have taken a big step forward recently, so all we can do is congratulate them.”

Tardozzi emphasized that Aprilia’s progress at the Thailand and Brazilian Grands Prix wasn’t a fluke. “The areas where we are losing positions, Gigi (Luigi Dall’Igna) has been working on them since the winter to help us recover. Aprilia has clearly done a very excellent job, and it won’t be easy,” he added.

Despite the current challenges, Tardozzi is optimistic that Ducati can close the gap at the upcoming Americas Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. “I think Aprilia will still be competitive in Austin, but I am sure Ducati will be closer. They will also be very strong in Jerez, but we can be closer. We understand the problems and we are looking for ways to solve them,” he stated.

A significant uncertainty at the start of the 2026 season has been the physical condition of Marc Marquez. The six-time MotoGP champion has been battling a shoulder injury since a race in Indonesia last year. While Marquez finished fourth in the Sprint race on Saturday, and ultimately fourth in the Grand Prix on Sunday, Tardozzi acknowledged the impact of the injury.

“Marc Marquez beat Fabio Di Giannantonio to win the Sprint Race at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix this Saturday,” MotoGP News reported. The race itself was delayed by 75 minutes due to a sinkhole on the track.

Tardozzi didn’t offer excuses, but conceded that Marquez isn’t currently operating at full capacity. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider secured a hard-fought victory in the Sprint race, demonstrating his competitive spirit despite the lingering physical limitations. Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, finished a close second in the Sprint, showcasing the growing competitiveness of the VR46 squad.

Di Giannantonio’s weekend wasn’t without its challenges, however. A crash during Sunday morning warm-up resulted in significant damage to his Desmosedici machine. “After my crash, I completely destroyed my bike, so they didn’t make lunch or anything, they were super-focused on the bike and they were just amazing so they needed a podium,” Di Giannantonio said, as reported by Crash.net. The VR46 team worked tirelessly to repair the bike in time for the race, a testament to their dedication.

The Italian rider also admitted to underestimating the impact of the crash. “Then I undervalued a little bit my crash of this morning, I said ‘No I’m okay, it’s all okay don’t worry’. But then coming to the first hard braking I felt already some ‘punches’, let’s say, on the joint, and I started to sense the pain a little bit and I lost the concentration for it,” Di Giannantonio explained.

Despite the pain, Di Giannantonio managed to secure a podium finish, becoming the top Ducati rider in the championship standings, three points ahead of Marquez and 19 points behind championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. This result marked the first podium for a Ducati rider this year, ending a streak that stretched back to Silverstone in 2021.

The Brazilian Grand Prix highlighted the increasing competitiveness of the MotoGP field, with Aprilia emerging as a dominant force. Ducati faces a crucial period of development and adaptation as they strive to regain their position at the front of the grid. The team’s ability to address the identified issues and support Marquez’s recovery will be pivotal in their championship aspirations.

The next race on the MotoGP calendar is the Americas Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The event is scheduled for April 12-14, 2026. Fans can expect another thrilling weekend of racing as the championship battle intensifies.

What do you think? Can Ducati turn things around in Austin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!