In Barcelona, Alex Marquez struck a major blow. His victory not only broke his brother Marc's winning streak, but also confronted Ducati with an embarrassing reality: the #73 is now more reliable, more incisive, and more consistent than its two-time champion, Francesco Bagnaia. The result? Borgo Panigale is already preparing its reward: a factory technical package and, perhaps, an official GP26 next year.
The numbers speak for themselves: six podiums and two race wins, ten podiums and one sprint win. Alex second point of the championnat, far ahead bagnaia, dropped to 68 points, and Fabio Di Giannantonio, pushed back to 144. For a satellite driver, this is a direct affront to the factory team drivers in GP25. Ducati, pragmatic, no longer has a choice: reward the one who brings in the results.
Even Nadia Padovani, patron saint of Gresini Racing team, enjoyed a symbolic revenge in Catalonia: " This is another victory for the Gresini Racing team and I am very happy for Alex. On Saturday we were very close and we finally won. Second place in the championship will be very important for us if we succeed, but it is time to savor this victory »
A satellite team that ridicules the factory, a family photo where the outsider takes center stage... Ducati So, the claws come out... for Alex.
Alex Marquez beats Bagnaia and wins Ducati's favor
Ducati was quick to react. Davide Tardozzi dropped the bomb:
« In Barcelona this Sunday, Alex deserved it. On Saturday, unfortunately, he made a mistake, but both days he was the fastest on the track. On behalf of the Ducati factory, we can only applaud him. »
Then the sentence that resonates like a slap in the face to Bagnaia: “ we will reward him. Alex will receive a technical award, he will certainly have something more. » While “Pecco” is chaining together catastrophic qualifications and technical excuses, Ducati rolls out the red carpet for its new favorite.
Nothing official, but everything is becoming clear: Ducati plans to align four GP26s in 2026. Two for the official team, one for Aldeguer…and the fourth might well go to Alex Marquez.
Even VR46 fades away, leaving the field free: « We are not the kind of team to put obstacles in the way. », assured Alessio Salucci. " As long as Ducati continues to treat us like this, let them do the same to the others, no problem. »
bagnaia remains the “historical pilot” of Ducati after Casey Stoner, but his current results are unworthy of this status. And in a paddock where only performance counts, Ducati sends a clear message: whoever wins will be rewarded, even if they are called Alex Marquez.
Ironically, while Marc walks towards a new title and that Pecco sinks, it is Alex who snatches the technical favors of DucatiAnd if the GP26 ends up in his box in 2026, it will be proof that Borgo Panigale prefers to bet on the “brother of” rather than on his own champion. MotoGP fallen.
