Francesco Bagnaia delivered a stark assessment of Ducati Corse after a challenging opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season in Buriram. Bagnaia was unable to match the pace of the leading riders throughout the weekend and finished ninth in the main race, a result well below expectations for the two‑time world champion.
The Italian said Ducati is no longer the benchmark for speed in the premier class, a rare admission from a factory rider. He pointed out that rivals, particularly Marco Bezzecchi and his Aprilia Racing machine, were clearly stronger at Buriram. Bagnaia also highlighted improvements from other competitors, including Pedro Acosta on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike, while Ducati’s performance slipped relative to pre‑season testing.
Bagnaia acknowledged that the Ducati squad struggled to find pace after promising winter tests, and admitted that tyre management and overall race pace were issues throughout the weekend. He suggested rivals had advanced while Ducati’s development had stalled, forcing him to fight harder just to stay competitive.
The result also marked the end of Ducati’s long run of podium finishes, as Marco Bezzecchi’s victory for Aprilia and other strong performances from non‑Ducati riders left the Borgo Panigale factory without a top three finish for the first time in many races.
Despite the disappointment, Bagnaia remained focused on working with his engineers to understand the issues and regain competitive form as the championship moves forward. His candid comments underline the growing challenge Ducati faces from rival manufacturers early in the 2026 season
