DUCATI STILL WORRIED ABOUT REAR-GRIP AS MARC MARQUEZ LEADS THE 2026 TITLE

Ducati’s MotoGP title push has gathered momentum after Marc Marquez’s dramatic comeback at Misano, but the team’s leadership says it is not getting carried away. Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna acknowledged that Marquez has taken the championship lead for the first time this season, yet he also pointed to technical and competitive factors that could still decide the outcome before the season ends in Valencia.

Following Misano, Marquez’s recovery has him tied on points with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin. Marco Bezzecchi, meanwhile, slipped to 33 points behind after crashing from the lead during Sunday’s action. With the standings tightening, Dall’Igna told Sky Italia that Ducati is approaching the remaining calendar with the same focus it has shown throughout a “somewhat peculiar” start to the year.

“As always, the World Championship ends in Valencia, so until Valencia we have to try to believe and keep pushing,” Dall’Igna said. He added that Ducati tried to manage pressure early on by staying calm and improving without “making too much noise,” explaining that stress can create problems of its own. In his view, both Ducati and Marquez have shown the clarity needed to get back on track.

“It’s not done yet, there are still seven races to go, a third of the championship, and everything is still undecided,” Dall’Igna said, stressing that the fight is far from settled.

One question being raised in the paddock is whether Marquez’s limited recent factory Ducati experience at some of the remaining circuits could become a disadvantage. Dall’Igna dismissed that idea, saying Marquez’s overall experience is more than enough to cover any gaps.

“Marc has so much experience that I honestly don't think it's a problem to have missed [some of] the remaining races between now and the end of the year,” he said. The context behind that comment is that four 2025 rounds—missed by Marquez due to shoulder injuries sustained after contact from Bezzecchi at Mandalika—are still to come on the schedule: Phillip Island, Sepang, Portimao and Valencia.

While Marquez’s circuit knowledge is not the main concern, Ducati’s rear grip has been. Dall’Igna highlighted that Ducati has tended to struggle more with rear traction than some rivals, particularly earlier in the year against Aprilia on a harder-construction rear tyre.

“Regarding the [tyre construction], let's just say we tend to struggle a bit more with rear grip than others, so that's something we'll have to work on. But I remain positive and confident,” he said.

He also noted that the stiffer rear tyre construction is expected to return at several upcoming events, including the Red Bull Ring, Mandalika and Phillip Island—places where Ducati will be looking to close the gap in traction and consistency.

Beyond the technical battle, Dall’Igna said Ducati is keeping an open mind about how the title fight will unfold. Although many observers frame the championship as a contest between Marquez, Martin and Bezzecchi, he insisted that any rider still mathematically in contention deserves respect.

“For me, all the riders who are mathematically in contention for the World Championship are competitors and deserve the utmost respect,” he said. “I repeat, in my opinion, the main requirement for beating an opponent is to respect them, and therefore I believe that all those who can compete for the World Championship deserve our respect.”

Dall’Igna also reiterated that Ducati has never stopped believing it can secure what would be a fifth consecutive riders’ title. “I've never stopped believing in it, I've never stopped pushing the whole team to believe in it, and I'll continue to do so until the math decides where this World Championship should go, one way or the other.”