Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has described the opening races of the 2026 MotoGP season as a nightmare. Tardozzi believed Ducati was in for a strong season following the Sepang pre-season test, but Aprilia made a huge step between Sepang and the final test at Buriram, while Marquez's recovery stalled due to an undiagnosed compressed radial nerve in his right arm.
Aprilia won the opening three grands prix, while Ducati reached the European rounds with only a single Sprint success. However, Ducati eventually broke through for its first grand prix victory of the season with Alex Marquez at Jerez, before Fabio di Giannantonio added a second win at Catalunya.
Tardozzi stressed that Marc Marquez remains far from full fitness, despite his recent victories, and that his recovery will take at least one more month, and maybe even two. The team is focused on recovering points, but knows that their opponents are very strong.
