NEIL HODGSON SAYS DUCATI GP26 PRACTICE START ACCELERATION IS “UNBELIEVABLE” AFTER MISANO RIDE

Neil Hodgson says Ducati’s current MotoGP GP26 delivered an “unbelievable” surprise when he got the chance to ride it at Misano ahead of the Aragon Grand Prix. Speaking on Gas it Out, the former World Champion explained that while many aspects of the experience felt familiar compared with other MotoGP machinery he has sampled over the years, one element stood out above everything else: the bike’s acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h.

Hodgson noted that his time on the GP26 was shorter than planned. “It didn’t quite turn out like we’d hoped. I didn’t get as much time on the bike as was planned,” he said. “I ended up probably doing a couple of flying laps and got a few practice starts.”

He added that the overall power didn’t shock him in the way some might expect, pointing to his prior experience on both KTM and Ducati machinery. “A couple of years ago I rode the KTM and I rode the Ducati 10 years ago, I wasn’t that shocked with the overall power. It’s what you’d expect anyway. They’re all super fast,” Hodgson said. He also referenced the seamless gearbox, explaining that it didn’t feel like a new hurdle because he is already used to that kind of transmission.

Instead, Hodgson’s biggest takeaway came from how the GP26 behaves during its practice-start procedure. He said he had never previously had the opportunity to use Ducati’s lowering devices in that context. “I think the absolute standout for me was doing the practice start. I’d never had the chance. I’d never used the lowering devices,” he explained. “They banned the front lowering device, but luckily for us, Ducati put the front lowering device on the bike.”

Describing what he did on the start, Hodgson said he lowered both ends of the bike and then engaged the system before releasing the clutch. “I put the front down, and I put the rear down, put it into start mode, and just let the clutch out,” he said. “Honestly, the acceleration, 0-100 kilometers is unbelievable. It literally pulls your arms off. That was incredible…”

The comments land amid ongoing discussion about Ducati’s direction heading into 2027. With Ducati already working on an 850cc machine for next season, there has been concern that the new bike could lose race pace compared with the GP26, even accounting for the expected reduction in speed due to the smaller engine capacity. The worry has been heightened by the difficulties Marc Marquez has faced on the GP26 this season.

However, Hodgson’s experience suggests that at least in the areas he could test—particularly the practice-start acceleration—Ducati’s current package is capable of delivering standout performance. While Ducati have been behind Aprilia for much of the year, the brand is aiming to ensure 2027 does not repeat the same kind of gap.

There is also reporting that Aprilia could again field the fastest bike in 2027, though Ducati and Honda are said to be posting similar times to Aprilia in some comparisons, hinting at a potential closing of the gap at the front. For Ducati, Hodgson’s ride reinforces the message that the GP26’s strengths are real—and that the team will be working hard to carry that competitiveness into the next ruleset.