TARDOZZI SAYS DUCATI’S WINNING EDGE GOES BEYOND MARQUEZ

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has pushed back against Aprilia chief executive Massimo Rivola’s suggestion that “four Aprilias are not enough to beat Marc Marquez”, arguing that success depends on more than the number of competitive bikes.

Rivola made his remark while discussing the constructors’ championship, in which Ducati holds a narrow lead over Aprilia. He also credited Marquez with making the difference in the riders’ contest, pointing to the gaps between the Spaniard and the other Ducati riders. Marquez is now close to securing a tenth world title after moving ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and, more recently, Jorge Martin.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Tardozzi noted that Ducati has six bikes on the grid, and said another Ducati has sometimes won. He praised Aprilia’s machinery, but stressed that a championship requires a combination of strengths.

“Compliments to them for a great bike, but it’s the package that wins,” Tardozzi said. “You need a fast rider, a champion like we have, a competitive bike, and a sporting and technical management that works and can put the rider in a position to win the World Championship. So you need the whole package.”

Marquez has taken seven Grand Prix victories this season. Ducati’s other wins came from Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio, each claiming one before Marc returned from corrective surgery for a nerve problem in his shoulder.

Aprilia has all four of its riders inside the championship’s top seven. Di Giannantonio is the next-best Ducati rider behind Marquez in the standings, but sits 149 points adrift. Marquez’s current form marks a striking turnaround: before moving to Ducati, he went 1,000 days without a win during his final seasons with Honda.