OXLEY DOUBTS DI GIANNANTONIO WOULD FOLLOW DUCATI ORDERS TO HELP MARQUEZ

Team orders could become a factor as MotoGP’s title fight heads into a triple-header in Australia, Malaysia and Qatar. Jorge Martin leads Marc Marquez by just two points before Phillip Island, while Marco Bezzecchi is third, 46 points behind. Marquez did not extend his advantage in Indonesia: his Ducati rival won the Sprint, then finished sixth in the Grand Prix. Bezzecchi’s Sprint collision with Raul Fernandez also prompted discussion within Aprilia about whether the team might need to manage its riders’ efforts in the remaining races.

Ducati could face a simpler decision, according to journalist Mat Oxley, because Marquez is the only Ducati rider close to the championship lead. He is 108 points ahead of the next-best Ducati rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio; Alex Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli are further back. Oxley believes those riders would generally follow instructions to avoid jeopardising Marquez’s title bid—but he doubts Di Giannantonio would.

“I think we might see team orders at Phillip Island, not only team orders but manufacturer orders,” Oxley said on the Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast. He suggested Ducati could tell its other riders: “Don’t take Marc out,” give him space and perhaps avoid beating him. Oxley expects Alex Marquez to comply and thinks Bagnaia would too, though he doubts either will need to be asked.

Di Giannantonio, however, may be less willing to help. “I don’t think Di Giannantonio will. He doesn’t like Marc, and he’s going to KTM anyway,” Oxley said. The pair have had a strained relationship since colliding in the COTA Sprint, followed by a tense exchange in the press room. Di Giannantonio was an early title contender, taking pole in Brazil and Austin and winning in Barcelona. He had sought equal treatment to Marquez in talks over a new Ducati deal, but will move to KTM for 2027.

Aprilia’s situation is more complicated. Bezzecchi remains in the title fight, so Oxley says the team cannot reasonably ask him to support Martin. Ai Ogura, who is leaving Aprilia, might also choose to pursue a race win rather than follow instructions. “If I’ve got a chance to win a race, I’m going to win it,” is how Oxley imagines Ogura might respond.

Raul Fernandez could be the more likely Aprilia rider to cooperate, as he is staying with the team next year. Oxley said the team could ask him to help, adding that if Fernandez wants Aprilia to treat him well in the future, “he needs to be nice to Aprilia at the end of this year.” Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has suggested Aprilia may use team orders, but whether Ducati issues its own—and whether every rider follows them—remains uncertain.