JORGE MARTIN SAYS THERE ARE “BAD MOMENTS” FOR BAGNAIA DESPITE DUCATI STRUGGLES

Jorge Martin has pushed back on the idea that Francesco Bagnaia’s recent struggles at Ducati are simply a matter of not being good enough. After Bagnaia’s latest setback at Misano—his sixth DNF of the 2026 season and a third consecutive weekend without scoring—Martin defended the Italian’s overall quality and insisted that downturns can happen even to riders at the very top.

Bagnaia’s form has dropped him to ninth in the championship, making him the lowest-placed GP26 rider, even as Ducati’s constructors’ lead continues. The contrast inside the Ducati garage has been stark since Marc Marquez joined the team: Marquez has outscored Bagnaia 819-431 despite missing six Grands Prix through injury.

Martin, speaking to Moto.it, said he did not expect Marquez to dominate the intra-team battle to this extent. “Of course not,” he said. “Pecco is incredibly strong in my opinion. I don’t know what’s going on inside; you’d have to ask him that, but in the end, there can be bad moments.” Martin added that he believes Bagnaia will eventually return to the level he “deserves,” calling him “one of the strongest on the grid.”

That stance contrasts with Pedro Acosta’s view that there is “no excuse” for Bagnaia to be so far behind Marquez. Martin’s response is that the sport can produce rough phases for anyone, and that Bagnaia’s current results do not necessarily reflect his true ability. Martin also referenced his own history with Bagnaia, noting that he has faced him “in his pomp,” and previously predicted last November that Bagnaia would return to “top” form in 2026.

While the season began with encouraging signs—three straight Sprint podiums in Austin, Jerez and Le Mans—the overall trajectory has not matched those early flashes. Looking ahead, Bagnaia is set to leave Ducati at the end of the year to join Aprilia, taking a seat that will open after Martin’s move to Yamaha.