Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has revealed that the opening rounds of the 2026 MotoGP season unfolded very differently from what the team expected, describing the early part of the campaign as a "nightmare" despite strong pre-season optimism.
Following the Sepang test, Ducati appeared to be in a commanding position. Five Ducati machines finished inside the top six on the timesheets, while reigning world champion Marc Marquez looked set for a strong title defence after returning from the shoulder injuries he suffered at Mandalika late last season.
Those results left Tardozzi convinced Ducati was heading into another successful year.
However, the competitive landscape shifted dramatically before the opening race. According to Tardozzi, Aprilia made significant progress between the Sepang and Buriram tests, transforming itself into a genuine championship contender before the season had even begun.
At the same time, Marquez's recovery proved more complicated than initially expected. Ducati later discovered that the Spaniard had been dealing with a compressed radial nerve in his right arm, an issue that affected his physical condition and limited his performance during the early rounds of the season.
Source: Wide Magazine
The combination of Aprilia's sudden rise and Marquez's injury setbacks quickly changed Ducati's outlook.
Tardozzi admitted that after Sepang he expected a relatively straightforward season for Ducati. Instead, the team found itself facing unexpected challenges almost immediately as Aprilia emerged as a serious rival. He praised the Noale-based manufacturer for the scale of its improvement, acknowledging that the team deserved recognition for the progress made in a short period of time.
Aprilia's breakthrough has become one of the defining stories of the 2026 campaign. Led by Marco Bezzecchi's strong performances, the manufacturer has consistently challenged at the front and established itself as a genuine threat to Ducati's dominance.
Despite the difficult start, Ducati's situation has improved as the season has progressed. Marquez has gradually recovered and returned to race-winning form, helping Ducati remain firmly in the championship fight. Tardozzi has repeatedly praised the eight-time world champion's determination to compete through physical limitations while continuing his recovery.
Looking back, Tardozzi's comments highlight how quickly fortunes can change in MotoGP. What appeared to be the perfect foundation for another dominant Ducati campaign turned into an intense battle almost overnight, proving that even the strongest pre-season form offers no guarantees once the racing begins.
