The 2026 scenario seemed set: Marc Marquez would lead the development of the Ducati GP26, the brand capitalizing on the reigning champion's genius. But then came a dramatic turn of events in Bologna: Davide Tardozzi announced that Alex Marquez would ultimately become the lead rider for the development of the new Desmosedici, the one on whom Pecco Bagnaia would rely to regain his full competitiveness. A surprising decision… but far from illogical.
Ducati would indeed have learned the lesson Honda : don't build a motorcycle just for an alien. As summarized on Todocircuito Oscar Haro, former sporting director of Honda LCRwho knows the two brothers well:
« Ducati understood that Marc's approach to developing a motorcycle is not the right oneThat's exactly what happened to us at Honda. »
At the time, the Honda RC213V had become an exclusive instrument, almost unplayable for anyone who wasn't Marc Marquez. And Honda It took years to get out of the hole created by this addiction.
Haro insists: Marc is too strong to be a good technical guide for the entire team: it completely masks the motorcycle's flawsIt manages to make things work that a normal driver cannot. »
A motorcycle developed based on such talent would risk losing the balance that is currently its strength. Ducati.
Alex Marquez, the "truthful" rider: Ducati wants someone who knows what they're doing and who clearly states what works and what doesn't. »
In this equation, Alex Marquez becomes essential. Precise, rigorous, consistent, it reveals the strengths and weaknesses of a machine, where Marc bypasses the flaws with an otherworldly style.
Haro This choice is fully validated: Alex is extremely precise in his focusingDucati wants someone who knows what they're doing and who clearly states what will and won't work.. »
It therefore becomes the balance between the genius of Marc and the needs of the rest of the fleet Ducati : Bagnaia, Aldeguer…and future talents.
The speech echoes that of Dani Pedrosa, a direct witness to the evolution of Honda : " Regardless of the settings, Marc will achieve the same lap time. This is a handicap for engineers They get lost easily »
Pedrosa suffered from a motorcycle that had become exclusive, radical, inaccessible. Ducati wants to avoid this at all costs. The brand seems to want an optimized version for "human" pilots and a version adapted for extraterrestrial #93.
One way to profit from Marc…without jeopardizing the future of the entire team. And an unexpected new role for Alex Marquez: becoming the guardian of the identity DucatiA hard blow for Pecco Bagnaia whose fate was sealed by Davide Tardozzi when he defined Alex Marquez as " a reference for Bagnaia "...
