Ducati is not treating the MotoGP championship as settled, despite Marc Marquez returning to the top of the standings at Misano. The Spaniard erased a 102-point deficit and is now level with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin. Marco Bezzecchi is 33 points off the lead after losing first place in a crash while leading the race.

Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna told Sky Italia that Marquez’s lack of recent factory experience at several circuits still to come is not a major concern. In his assessment, the rider’s broader experience offsets much of the missing track time. Dall’Igna also stressed that the title will remain undecided until Valencia, rather than treating the latest standings change as decisive.

Rear grip is Ducati’s technical concern

The more specific issue is performance at the rear. Dall’Igna acknowledged that Ducati tends to struggle slightly more than other manufacturers for rear grip when using the harder-construction rear tyre. That construction is expected to return at events such as the Red Bull Ring, Mandalika and Phillip Island, making Ducati’s response to it a potentially important part of the title run-in.

The number of remaining races is not equally clear. Dall’Igna referred to seven, while the calendar discussion reaches eight only if the rescheduled Qatar event in November is counted. The Lusail round itself remains doubtful, with the possibility of a replacement also mentioned. The events identified in the same context include Phillip Island, Sepang, Portimao and Valencia. Marquez had missed those races in 2025 because of shoulder injuries.

Although the title battle is increasingly described through the names Marquez, Martin and Bezzecchi, Dall’Igna is keeping a wider view of the opposition. He says every rider still mathematically in contention deserves the utmost respect. He also continues to believe Ducati can claim a fifth consecutive MotoGP riders’ title, while recognising that rear grip is an area the team must address as the season continues.