– The duel between Ducati and Aprilia shapes the MotoGP season 2026. The showdown is particularly prestigious at the two home races. At the end of May, Aprilia was able to win the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello for the first time.
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With Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin in the first two places, Aprilia was even able to celebrate a one-two finish. Ducati had to settle for third place with Francesco Bagnaia. For the first time since 2021, Ducati was defeated in Mugello.
Now, the second Italian race of the season is on the program next weekend in Misano, even though it is officially the San Marino Grand Prix. Ducati also has a very good track record in Misano.
In 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, Ducati won the San Marino Grand Prix. In recent years, there have been three seasons with two races in Misano. The second race was the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
In 2020 and 2021, Ducati could not win this second Misano race, but did so in 2024. Aprilia has not yet won a Grand Prix in Misano in the premier class. Last year, Bezzecchi won the sprint.
After the defeat in Mugello, Misano becomes a prestigious race weekend for Ducati, as this year Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary with numerous celebrations and exhibitions in Italy.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali emphasizes that “the home race is always very emotional and very important.” About the duel with Aprilia, he says it is “a pride for the country” because “it is two Italian motorcycles fighting for this world championship.”
After 13 of 22 race weekends, Aprilia leads all three world championship standings. In the rider standings, Marc Marquez is only 19 points behind Martin. With a successful Misano weekend, Marquez could take the championship lead.
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Domenicali knows that Misano could be a turning point. “Three months ago, this world championship seemed irretrievably lost. Today, the perspective looks very different. I would say the championship is very open.”
“The start of the season was very difficult. Then things balanced out a lot over the summer,” Domenicali is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We are behind and therefore not the favorites.”
“When the championship is already advanced and you still have to catch up points, it is always difficult. But the nice thing is that we are still in the race. The fans will experience an exciting season finale.”
With his recent wins, Marquez has positioned himself as a challenger to the two Aprilia factory riders in the championship fight. VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio is 48 points behind Martin.
But due to the limitation of his right arm, Marquez has a big handicap that varies depending on the track characteristics. Domenicali is also aware that his star rider is not at 100 percent.
“He has to work specifically during the weekend: He has to try to push less on Friday to save strength for Saturday and Sunday.” Marquez has particular difficulties in right-hand corners.
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In Misano, there are ten right and six left corners. The right corners also include the fast track section between turns 10 and 14, including the ultra-fast Curvone.
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