5-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan says it’s nonetheless too early to attract conclusions concerning the 2026 MotoGP title race, however admits Ducati’s type is troublesome to decipher.
Ducati, which has received the final 4 riders’ titles, is but to win a grand prix this season, with its final victory coming by the hands of Alex Marquez in Malaysia final October.
In distinction, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi has received all 5 grands prix since then and leads the 2026 world championship regardless of crashing out in two dash races.
Teammate Jorge Martín took the dash victory and a number of podiums, whereas Raul Fernández additionally positioned his Trackhouse Aprilia within the prime three.
Ducati’s solely win to this point this season has been a dash victory over reigning champion Marc Marquez in Brazil.
Nevertheless, Marquez remains to be recovering from shoulder surgical procedure and has but to achieve a Grand Prix podium, shedding additional factors as a consequence of a wheel rim failure at Buriram and a dash crash at COTA that additionally beat Fabio Di Giannantonio.
The VR46 rider is at the moment the highest Ducati rider within the standings, in fourth place behind KTM’s Pedro Acosta and the 2 Aprilias.
In the meantime, Ducati has fallen 42 factors within the constructors’ rating in comparison with the identical interval final yr, whereas Aprilia has gained 68 factors.
“I feel it is nonetheless too early to speak about this season,” Doohan advised Marca.com. “We’ll be again in Europe quickly. Let’s examine what occurs.
“What I do not perceive is the Ducati factor. I do not know if Aprilia has made an enormous step ahead or if Ducati has stalled. And (if that’s the case) why have they stalled?”
“Nevertheless, the VR46 Satellite tv for pc Group appears to be performing higher than the Ducati manufacturing facility bikes.
“In that case, who has been main the event? Are they transferring in the precise course?”
“However I do not know if Aprilia has taken an enormous step ahead or Ducati has taken a step again.”
Jorge Martin with Nicky Hayden flag, 2026 US MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
Whereas Bezzecchi continued his robust type from final season, teammate Martin emerged as one of many early surprises.
The 2024 world champion, who was injured for a lot of final season after which sat out a part of 2026 preseason testing, has completed on the rostrum up to now 4 races (together with the dash).
Martin returns to Europe simply 4 factors behind Bezzecchi, and his confidence and data of the RS-GP is enhancing with every spherical.
“Vezzecchi has achieved an excellent job with that bike. He is very robust, each in a single lap and over the race distance. The Aprilia appears very robust,” Doohan stated.
“About Martin, to start with, I just like the man. He is down-to-earth, a traditional human being and really quick.
“We noticed it when he received the world championship with Pramac and Ducati.
“Sadly he had numerous accidents final yr. He went by way of a really troublesome interval at Aprilia.
“Proper now he is off to a very good begin. He is second on the planet championship. Every little thing goes effectively… besides he must observe his victory lap celebration!”
Martin crashed throughout a wheelie whereas celebrating Aprilia’s debut win on the COTA Dash.
