Alex Marquez will ride a factory-spec Ducati GP26 motorcycle in the 2026 MotoGP season, a significant advancement directly attributed to his exceptional performance throughout the 2025 campaign. The younger Marquez brother secured the runner-up position in the riders’ standings, consistently demonstrating prowess despite competing on year-old machinery. Ducati’s racing chief, Gigi Dall’Igna, explicitly endorsed Marquez’s progression, affirming his deservingness of top-tier equipment.

This pivotal move ensures Marquez will be equipped with a motorcycle identical in specification to those ridden by factory team stalwarts Francesco Bagnaia and his elder brother, Marc Marquez, along with Fabio Di Giannantonio at VR46. The decision by Ducati underscores the manufacturer’s confidence in Alex Marquez’s rapid development and his proven capability to compete at the highest level of premier class racing.

Marquez’s 2025 season was marked by a series of standout performances, notably without the benefit of significant upgrades to his GP24 machine. He opened the season with three consecutive second-place finishes in Thailand, Argentina, and the United States, quickly establishing himself as a formidable contender. His maiden premier class victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, the fifth race on the calendar, briefly propelled him to the top of the world championship standings.

His consistency proved to be a defining characteristic, with further triumphs in Barcelona and Malaysia. Despite encountering a challenging mid-season period, which included an injury sustained at Assen and subsequent crashes, Marquez showcased remarkable resilience. He rebounded strongly in the latter part of the year, securing two additional wins and five podium finishes across the final seven races, cementing his second-place overall standing.

Ducati’s Racing General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, publicly acknowledged Marquez’s remarkable journey. In his annual season summary, Dall’Igna wrote of Marquez’s “important evolution” which had transformed him into one of the “absolute protagonists,” leaving no doubt about his entitlement to an official factory bike for the upcoming season. This high-level endorsement solidified the basis for Ducati’s decision.

The opportunity for Alex Marquez to receive the coveted factory-spec bike arose due to a development involving the VR46 Racing Team. Although VR46 held priority for a second full-factory GP26 for 2026, the substantial operational costs associated with running two latest-specification machines, coupled with Franco Morbidelli’s inconsistent performance, led Valentino Rossi’s team to decline the option.

Ducati swiftly capitalized on this opening to reward Marquez for his stellar season. While his current team, Gresini Racing, reportedly had to increase its financial contribution to facilitate the arrangement, Ducati saw the strategic imperative of providing top-tier equipment to a rider who had clearly demonstrated his potential. This decision was also viewed in the context of Francesco Bagnaia’s performance, which some observed had not consistently met the expectations for a two-time world champion.

Crucially, while Alex Marquez will ride identical machinery to the factory riders, his contractual status will remain unchanged. Ducati sources confirmed that he will continue as a rider under contract with the private Gresini team. His existing technical crew and the allocation of Ducati staff in his garage will also remain the same, ensuring continuity within his established team structure.

Speculation regarding a potential reunion of Marc and Alex Marquez within the factory Ducati team in 2027 has been addressed by the manufacturer. Ducati has indicated that such a scenario is “very unlikely,” citing its overarching philosophy. The brand prefers to foster intense competition between teammates rather than create familial pairings within its premier factory squad.

Marc Marquez himself has downplayed the prospect of racing alongside his brother in the factory team. He stated that while he would personally welcome it, the primary consideration for both himself and Alex would be their individual sporting projects and what best serves their respective careers. Emphasizing a “selfish” evaluation of potential opportunities, he acknowledged Alex’s strong season would undoubtedly attract multiple offers, making a shared factory garage a difficult, albeit desirable, outcome.

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Keywords: Alex Marquez, Ducati MotoGP, GP26 factory bike, MotoGP 2026 season, Gresini Racing, Gigi Dall'Igna, Marc Marquez, VR46 Racing Team