Aprilia’s commanding performance at the Thailand Grand Prix has raised serious questions about Ducati’s dominant status in MotoGP. For much of the past few years, Ducati has consistently held the top position, claiming every manufacturer’s title since 2020 and sweeping the last four riders’ championships, including Marc Marquez’s 2025 victory with 25 wins, encompassing Sprint races. However, Aprilia’s recent surge threatens that supremacy.
Signs of Struggle for Ducati as Aprilia Gains Momentum
While Ducati’s GP24 model won 16 races in 2024, last year’s GP25 revealed clear setbacks, showing a noticeable drop in performance. After Marquez’s crash in Indonesia, the team managed only two points during his recovery period, with Francesco Bagnaia unable to reach expected results. Meanwhile, Aprilia grabbed the spotlight as Marco Bezzecchi seized wins in the final two 2025 races in Portugal and Valencia, signaling the narrowing gap. The start of the 2026 season at Buriram reinforced Aprilia’s upward trajectory, with hints they may have surpassed Ducati.
Ducati Questions Their Competitive Standing Following Thailand GP
The Thailand Grand Prix spotlighted Aprilia’s strength when Bezzecchi claimed a dominant victory from pole position, leading every lap with all four Aprilia riders placing in the top five. Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez secured third place behind KTM’s Pedro Acosta. Ducati’s defending champion Marquez appeared set for a podium before a rear rim failure forced his retirement on lap 21, leaving Fabio Di Giannantonio as the top Ducati finisher in sixth place.
Internal Doubts Grow Within Ducati Over Future Prospects
Davide Tardozzi acknowledged Aprilia’s impressive display privately, with Ducati finishing a substantial 16 seconds behind Bezzecchi. Such a gap has sparked uncertainty within Ducati over whether they still maintain even a slight advantage over their rivals, as reported by DAZN. Despite only one race having occurred in the 2026 season, Ducati’s performance at Buriram strongly suggests they currently lag behind Aprilia. Even Bagnaia conceded, stating that Ducati no longer holds the fastest bike on the grid and recognizing the RS-GP’s advancement—a development that may align with his upcoming transfer to Aprilia in 2027.
The Stakes for Ducati and Implications for MotoGP’s 2026 Season
Ducati’s uneasy position following Aprilia’s breakthrough at the Thailand GP raises significant concerns about their ability to maintain dominance amid fierce competition. This shift not only intensifies the battle for victories and championships this season but may also reshape team strategies and rider dynamics moving forward. How Ducati responds to Aprilia’s challenge will be pivotal for the unfolding 2026 MotoGP season and beyond.
“Ducati have doubts about being one step ahead.” – Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Team Manager
“Aprilia have taken a step forward with the RS-GP.” – Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Rider
