MotoGP icon Jorge Lorenzo shared his insights after the Sepang test, highlighting that Ducati has “unfortunately” made a significant advancement with their 2026 bike. Ducati, which dominated the 2025 season by winning 17 of 22 races and securing the world championship with Marc Marquez, had been grappling with some inconsistency in the GP25 model, particularly when compared with fierce competitors like Aprilia.
As the pre-season test approached, questions hovered over Ducati’s ability to address these issues and maintain their top spot. After three days of testing at Sepang, it seems Ducati has made promising strides with the GP26, evidenced by Alex Marquez posting the fastest lap, while Gresini’s Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez also put in strong sprint performances.
Lorenzo, speaking to the MotoGP World Feed following the final day, observed that the GP26 felt more composed and stable than other machines on the track. “Ducati has clearly made a powerful step forward,” he remarked, noting how smooth and controlled the bike appeared, especially exiting corners with partial throttle and during deceleration.
He added that other bikes seemed somewhat uneasy in comparison, but the trio of Ducati riders showed impressive speed in their sprint runs. Lorenzo also noted that while Sepang’s characteristics favor Ducati, other teams like KTM and Aprilia could narrow the gap depending on the track. He pointed out Ducati’s enhancements, such as an improved rear device to aid acceleration and prevent wheelies, and a large front wing akin to an F1 car that boosts downforce, contributing to bike stability.
Despite limited room for improvement last year, Ducati has pushed forward again this season, showing clear progress at Sepang. Lorenzo also acknowledged Aprilia’s resilience and Honda’s noticeable advancements as positive developments for the competition.
Fan Take: This update is thrilling news for racing enthusiasts because Ducati’s leap forward sets the stage for an even more intense championship battle in 2026. With teams like Aprilia and Honda also closing in, fans can look forward to tighter races and expert-level engineering pushing the limits of MotoGP technology.
