Marc Marquez, the newly crowned world champion, is sidelined after his violent crash with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia. The result: a fracture and ligament damage to his right shoulder. The champion hopes to return before the end of the season, but his absence opens up a volatile situation for Ducati.
Michele Pirro could save its legendary series (at least one MotoGP start per year since 2012), but Ducati seems unexcited about the idea of simply putting their test driver out there to do some mileage without any stakes.
The manufacturer has already won everything this year—drivers, teams, constructors—and could use this opportunity to send a strong signal. What if Ducati released a WorldSBK card to replace Marquez ?
The names to watch and which will make the paddock tremble would then be these:
Andrea Iannone : the man who offered to Ducati his first victory under Dall'Igna in 2015. Already called up last year in Sepang without preparation, he had a good weekend. A quick return to the official team would be much talked about.
Nicholas Bulega : Rising Superbike star in title contention against Toprak. His 2026 contract includes MotoGP testing, but would he accept a risky baptism of fire while he has big stakes elsewhere?
Alvaro Bautista : two-time WSBK champion, available, experienced, and already ready to help. He could provide valuable technical feedback on the Ducati GP25, especially to help bagnaia.
Ducati plays it safe and plays it safe
To put Pirro, it is to ensure technical continuity, collect data for 2026 and take no risks. But giving the official bike to a Open up or a Iannone, it's a media stunt, a daring bet that would electrify the end of the season.
A joker World SBK, it is also about testing talents for the future and sending a clear message: at Ducati, the hierarchy can always be shaken up.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez He's healing... and observing. The injured champion has warned that he won't return until he gets the all-clear from a doctor, but he's probably watching everything carefully.
Si Ducati puts someone fast on his official machine while he's away, the atmosphere could become electric when he returns.
Ducati has a unique opportunity to turn a simple medical absence into a strategic event. Either they choose safety with Pirro, either they make a risky but spectacular bet with Iannone, Bulega or even Baptist.
And that, for the already successful Italian brand, is perhaps the best way to get people talking about it again before 2026.
