Since his promotion to the factory Ducati team, Marc Marquez has won the 2025 World Championship and established himself as a title contender once again in 2026. However, his task is more difficult this season as Marquez battles injuries and an Aprilia lineup that appears to have a more competitive bike.

Given Marc Marquez’s impressive performances, speculation has emerged that Ducati has tailored the development of its 2026 bike to suit him. Ducati Team Manager Davide Tardozzi, however, has firmly rejected those claims, insisting that the manufacturer has not developed the bike specifically for Marquez.

As Tardozzi explained.

"I don't agree at all with those who claim Marc Marquez has steered the bike's development towards himself. It's absolutely not true. I've seen what parts have been brought in and what the other riders have chosen, so it's absolutely not true that Marquez has had the bike built for him. That's just paddock gossip. Anyone involved in developing the bike knows perfectly well what we've done for him and what we've tried to do for the others. For example, for Pecco, even if those efforts haven't worked out. We've always had the ability and the resources to develop the bike for each individual rider.

It's not as though, because the bike works well for Marquez, that automatically makes it the right bike for everyone. Pecco, for example, uses different fairing bodywork from Marc, to give just one example. For a long time, he also used different swingarm aerodynamics from Marquez. Each of our factory riders – and I'd include Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio in that group – has the opportunity to choose the solutions that suit them. We don't build a bike for Marc Marquez and then expect it to work for everyone. That's not how it works,"

Since the stricter enforcement of moto gp’s tyre pressure regulations, the rules have caused confusion and frustration among riders. On several occasions, riders have been forced to slow down or surrender positions because their tyre pressures exceeded the permitted limits. One of the latest examples came during the Sprint race in Mandalika, where Jorge Martin was affected by the issue.

Pedro Acosta, who experienced similar problems during the race, believes the current regulations make riders look like “donkeys” as they struggle to stay within the tyre pressure limits. Acosta also argues that the rules should focus on ensuring that tyre pressures meet the minimum requirements on the starting grid, rather than restricting riders throughout the race.

As Acosta explained.

"We look like donkeys. I think that [Marquez] was having the same problems as me, because he let me pass also. I understand that we should have minimum pressure before going out for the race, but you cannot decide [what happens in the race]. For example, yesterday with Martin, I imagine that his race was planned around [Marco] Bezzecchi and Marc in front.

You cannot control what the other guys do for this. I think we should have a minimum pressure before starting on the grid, and then what happens is what happens. You cannot do anything. I was struggling the whole race with the front tyre pressure and I was losing massive time, letting Marc pass, then overtaking him again, then letting him pass again, then starting to pass him. Then Ogura catches us. And he was faster than us, that's it."

Maverick Vinales will not to remain on the moto gp grid for the 2027 season, and there have been few indications that he could switch to a superbike championship. However, rumours suggest that Vinales could remain involved in moto gp in a different capacity. According to speculation, Ducati has approached Maverick Vinales about becoming a test rider for the 2027 season.

If the move materialises, Maverick Vinales could work alongside Michele Pirro, Ducati's established test rider, as the manufacturer prepares for the major technical changes coming in 2027. Pirro believes that Ducati needs continuity and stability in its development programme. Although Pitto has considerable respect for Vinales' ability, he also warned that becoming a test rider requires a different mindset from competing as a full-time racer.

As Pirro explained.

"I will definitely have to continue to be personally involved in development. I believe Ducati's approach has always been to provide continuity, to have certain key points in development, especially in a year of major changes like next year. I have a lot of respect for Maverick, even though he's lost his way a bit in recent years, and as a rider you can't say anything about him.

It's clear, however, that I don't know what contribution he can really make in a role like that, especially since you don't have the opportunity to race. Being a test rider is completely different. If you also talk to Bulega, it's a completely different job. It's easy to say: 'Now he's without a seat, he can be a test rider.' “But then you find yourself having to work for others and not for yourself.

And I don't think there are many riders willing to do that, especially someone like him, who perhaps still feels strong and fast. I think we need stability above all else and not to waste energy,” while noting that “being a test rider also requires a certain amount of dedication; it’s not as beautiful as it seems."

Marco Bezzecchi, Ai Ogura and championship leader Jorge Martin remain in contention for the 2026 moto gp World Championship. However, there have been several occasions when Aprilia riders have collided with one another, resulting in losing valuable points and potentially handing an advantage to their championship rivals. With Aprilia closer than ever to securing its first premier-class riders’ title, the team is now considering whether to introduce team orders to avoid further incidents and maximise its chances of winning the championship.

Under such a strategy, Aprilia could ask its riders to give priority to the rider best placed to win the title, potentially allowing the championship leader to pass without resistance in the form of manufacturer or team orders. Aprilia Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini has hinted that the team could discuss introducing guidelines as the season progresses, although the riders remain free to race one another for now.

As Sterlacchini explained.

"It's good to have this kind of problem, to manage the situation. For the moment, as our CEO Massimo [Rivola] declared, it is completely free. [But] clearly, we start to discuss between us to put some directive guidelines to avoid problems.

We haven’t set a deadline, but between now and a few races from here, the time may come to have a discussion with Massimo and define a team strategy with no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’,” he said. We’re quite a long way off at the moment, there are a lot of points up for grabs, and anything can happen. We feel comfortable allowing freedom for now, but I don’t know for how long.

Everything is difficult; here, everything is taken to the highest level, including the riders’ attitudes and their nervousness. This morning, Massimo and I decided to hold a roundtable discussion so we could talk things through and clear the air. Often, tensions stem from misunderstandings rather than real issues. We decided to talk it out, and everything went well."

The moto gp teams have reportedly been informed by the championship's promoters that riders who fail to attend mandatory promotional events will face financial penalties. According to reports, riders who miss such an event could be fined €5,000. Marc Marquez, who recently skipped a promotional activity, has now spoken out about the issue.

Ahead of the Japanese GP 2026, Marc Marquez declined to participate in a promotional go-kart event and sent a substitute in his place. Marquez reportedly told the promoters that he was involved in a championship fight and did not want to risk an injury that could jeopardise his title ambitions. His absence has brought the issue of riders' promotional obligations into the spotlight.

At the Indonesian GP 2026 Marc Marquez is standing his ground, arguing that riders are athletes first and foremost. While Marquez wants moto gp to grow, he believes the championship should find ways to promote itself without placing excessive demands on riders outside their sporting commitments.

As Marquez told.

"As a rider, we are, and I’m the first one who wants Moto GP to grow and be bigger and bigger. But I think we can have different ways to grow the sport without pushing the riders so much. This is my feeling. Now, we have a lot of things to do, because it’s not only the Moto GP things. We have sponsor things during the weekends, the meetings, warm-up, then you change quick [for the] parade, then Hero Walk, a lot of people [there].

Then you come back, another meeting from the warm-up because you didn’t have time. So, in the end, we are athletes. Next year, even the schedule is more and more because time on the track is the same but it’s more intense, and it will be more time with the leather suits on. So, in the end, we are the first ones that would like to help the championship, but there are other ways to grow. We have the show on the race track, not outside."

Raul Fernandez was involved in a collision with fellow Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi at the start of the Sprint race at the Indonesian GP 2026. Fernandez was injured in the crash and suffered fractures to two fingers.

Despite his injuries, Raul Fernandez lined up for Sunday's full-distance race. Starting from pole position, he led for more than half of the race before being overtaken by Marco Bezzecchi, who went on to claim victory.

Raul Fernandez eventually secured a podium finish, making the result even more impressive given his condition. Fernandez was pleased with his performance, despite having to manage the pain and adapt his riding style around his injured fingers.

As Fernandez explained.

"I don't usually make many mistakes when I'm in the lead. Today I made too many. I went too wide in too many turns and immediately ruined my rear tire. I was just trying to hang on, but by the last five laps I was completely spent.

When I woke up this morning, I saw that I had not one, but two broken fingers. No one knew. I didn't say anything so I could stay focused on the race. I started from scratch: the whole setup, the braking points, how to use the front brake. It was hard work."

The Mandalika circuit has statistically been one of the worst tracks in Marc Marquez's career. Before the ndonesian GP 2026, Marquez had never managed to finish a race at the circuit. However, he finally broke that streak this year.

Marc Marquez took advantage of Jorge Martin's tyre-pressure problems to win the Sprint race. Although he finished sixth in Sunday's full-distance race, behind his title rivals, Marquez was still satisfied with the overall result, describing it as a “dream” outcome at a circuit where he has historically struggled.

As Marquez told.

"On Thursday, if you had told me you will lose three points against Bezzecchi and equal Martin over the entire weekend....it was a dream and we achieved it. In the worst circuit for us, we did a great weekend.

We were able to be consistent during all weekend. It's true that on the race we suffered a lot, especially the second part of the race, but just happy how the weekend ended."

Under moto gp's new ownership, it has become increasingly clear that the championship is placing greater emphasis on entertainment and marketing, following a strategy similar to that of formula one. Promotional events are an important part of this approach, as they help increase the championship's visibility and engage with fans.

However, not all riders are equally enthusiastic about these activities. Some prefer to focus on the sporting side of moto gp rather than attend promotional events. This approach could now become costly, as the promoters have reportedly sent emails to all teams informing them that financial penalties will take immediate effect if riders fail to attend required events.

For now, the Riders' Parade has been specifically mentioned. Riders who fail to attend could face a fine of €5,000. The Heroes Walk is also expected to be added to the list of mandatory activities. The list of promotional events that riders are required to attend could expand further in the future, meaning riders may face additional obligations beyond their commitments on the track.

Marco Bezzecchi's Indonesian GP 2026 weekend got off to a difficult start when he collided with fellow Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez at the beginning of the Sprint race. Both riders crashed out, leaving them without any points on Saturday. However, the situation changed on Sunday.

Marco Bezzecchi caught pole-sitter Raul Fernandez and overtook him cleanly to secure victory in the full distance race. The win also marked Italy's 300th victory in Grand Prix motorcycle racing and ended Bezzecchi's wait for another triumph. With this result, the Aprilia rider has kept his 2026 title hopes alive.

As Bezzecchi told.

"I feel super happy. There was a very good beginning of the year until Mugello, then some hard races, a bit of a hard time. After the injury, the comeback wasn't bad, but it was difficult to be back on the top step of the podium. But fortunately, today we were able to do it.

For sure, before this round, I knew maybe I had to risk a little bit more here,” he said of his title chances. Yesterday, of course, didn't pay off, obviously, with the race incident at the beginning.

But, fortunately, today the race was good. I'm still far, but, anyway, my mentality is still the same. I will keep fighting, keep trying my best to achieve the best that I can until the end."