DUCATI BOSS GIGI DALL’IGNA PRAISES MARC MARQUEZ AFTER MISANO WIN

Marc Marquez’s Misano win drew major praise from Ducati leadership, with team boss Gigi Dall’Igna describing the performance as “Marc Marquez at his absolute best” and calling him “a special rider.” The Ducati general manager’s comments came after the seven-time world champion converted a Sunday opportunity into victory at the San Marino Grand Prix, taking the lead in the standings for the first time.

Dall’Igna said Marquez’s weekend success was driven by more than just the result, highlighting the “triumph in front of our fans” and stressing the importance of the points at this stage of the championship—both for the riders’ and constructors’ races. He also framed the win as part of a broader partnership, writing that the “thrill” of seeing Marquez perform at his peak is “pure energy” for the whole team.

On-track, the race outcome was influenced by rivals’ misfortunes. Marquez capitalised on a crash involving Marco Bezzecchi and an arm pump issue for Jorge Martin to secure the 27-lap victory. Dall’Igna acknowledged that Marquez “certainly capitalised on his rivals’ misfortunes,” but insisted the win still came “in true Marc style,” with a controlled approach from start to finish.

In his LinkedIn debrief, Dall’Igna said Marquez dominated by managing resources “faultlessly,” describing how he chose when to attack without rushing, taking “the least risk” and avoiding overdoing it. He also pointed to Marquez’s ability to balance aggression and restraint, adding that he “always knows when to push, when to hold back and when to attack.”

Beyond the race itself, Dall’Igna emphasised what he believes keeps Marquez improving. He praised the rider’s “desire, ability, and humility to learn and improve,” and called him “a true professional” who has earned the respect of the entire team on the track. The Ducati boss also noted the pattern of recent success, saying the Misano result felt like a continuation of momentum after Marquez’s Saturday sprint win.

Statistically, the victory marked Marquez’s eighth win at Misano, his fifth win of the season, and his fifth Sunday triumph in the last seven Grand Prix races. It also completed back-to-back 37-point weekends for the rider. Dall’Igna’s comments came alongside the broader championship context: Marquez has erased a 102-point deficit since the Italian Grand Prix following his return from surgery on a nerve issue in his right shoulder.

While celebrating, Dall’Igna urged the team to stay grounded. He warned that the 2026 season is “much longer than the bare schedule suggests,” and said the title will be won only “with our feet firmly on the ground.” His message was that wins are milestones, not the finish line, and that Ducati must keep pushing while maintaining focus.

Dall’Igna said Ducati will “win with steady heads,” explaining that success comes from “seeing races through to the end,” whether conditions are favourable or not. He added that the team must continue to fight “square-on” and avoid distraction from individual victories, stressing that competition is intense and that mistakes can happen to anyone.

With Marquez now leading the standings after Misano, Ducati’s leadership framed the next phase as a test of consistency—turning a strong run of results into a sustained championship push rather than letting the momentum of one weekend define the season.