Gresini Racing revealed the design of its 2026 MotoGP motorcycle during an event in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. After completing the MotoGP shakedown test at Sepang International Circuit, the team headed to Malaysia’s capital to showcase the bikes that riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer will use this season.
Alex Marquez was present at the launch along with team leader Nadia Padovani, but Aldeguer was absent due to a left femur fracture sustained during training at Valencia’s Aspar circuit earlier this month. The satellite Ducati squad continues to sport its signature pastel blue livery accented with red and black, maintaining the look introduced in 2022 when the team separated from Aprilia and became independent.
While the colors remain familiar, the bike itself has evolved substantially. Alex Marquez will race on the new GP26 alongside prominent riders including his brother Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46, as Ducati increases its factory entries to four this year. This upgrade means that Alex Marquez is competing on a factory-spec bike for the first time since his MotoGP rookie season with Repsol Honda in 2020.
Meanwhile, Aldeguer will continue with last year’s machinery during his second season but will be entrusted with a 2025-spec GP25. This model helped Marc Marquez secure the 2025 title, although Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have had difficulties achieving consistent results on it.
The upcoming year is pivotal for Gresini as both riders aim to build upon the success of 2025, a season that saw the team claim their first Grand Prix victory. Alex Marquez experienced a downturn in Jerez but bounced back with two victories in Barcelona and Sepang, finishing second overall, while Aldeguer earned Rookie of the Year honors following his win in Indonesia. These accomplishments helped propel Gresini to second place in the team standings, surpassing Ducati’s other satellite team, VR46.
With Gresini’s launch concluded, Honda and LCR remain the only teams yet to announce their 2026 bikes, with LCR’s reveal set for Sunday and Honda’s following on Monday. Alex Marquez is scheduled to test the Gresini Ducati at the official Sepang pre-season test from February 3rd to 5th. Gresini did not take part in the recent shakedown test in Malaysia since it was limited to manufacturer test riders and rookies.
Fan Take:
Although this news centers around MotoGP, Gresini Racing’s strategic developments highlight the deepening competitiveness and technological evolution in motorsports that Horse Racing fans can appreciate—both sports share the thrill of cutting-edge performance and evolving talent. As MotoGP teams refine their machines and riders aim for championship glory, it mirrors how innovations and rising stars shape the future of horse racing, where every advantage counts in the quest for victory.
