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Ducati, Marc Marquez identify his most dangerous rival for 2026

Ducati Corse

Ducati centaur Marc Marquez has identified the rivals most likely to give him a hard time in 2026. After dominating the previous MotoGP World Championship, the nine-time world champion believes it will be more difficult to repeat this year and pointed to his brother Alex as his strongest opponent: “Who do I expect to be able to stand up to me? The first is Alex, my brother. He did second last year, I answer following the standings”. His teammate Pecco Bagnaia is in second. After a nightmarish 2025, the Piedmontese rider wants to redeem himself.

Luca FranzosiDucati Desmosedici GP 2026: the data sheet and photos

Engine: 4-stroke, 90° V4, liquid-cooled, desmodromic timing with double overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder.
Tyres: Michelin, on Ø17" front and rear rims.
Electronics: Marelli ECU programmed with Dorna Unique Software.
Front braking system: Brembo all billet aluminum finned monoblock calipers with 4-piston radial mount. Dual Brembo carbon brake discs.
Transmission: Ducati Seamless Transmission. Chain final drive.
Heels: Front and rear, Marchesini forged magnesium alloy.
Fueling: Indirect electronic injection, 4 throttle bodies with injectors above and below butterfly. Butterflies controlled by dual Ride By Wire system.
Suspension: Inverted fork with carbon stays and rear shock absorber, with preload adjustment and hydraulic brake in compression and rebound.
Fuel: Shell Racing V-Power. Lubricant: Shell Advance Ultra 4.
Rear braking system: Brembo aluminum caliper with 2 pistons. Brembo steel brake disc.
Displacement: 1,000 cc. Maximum power: Over 280 hp.
Maximum speed: Over 350km/h. Dry weight: 157kg.

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“Pecco is a two-time world champion and in Japan he showed his potential – stressed Marc Marquez, who added another Italian, Marco Bezzecchi, to the trio -. “There’is also the Aprilia, which finished very strong with Bezzecchi and will be difficult to handle”. The number 93 doesn&#8217t hide: his ambition is to get his 10th world title: “I&#8220m with the team that has won in recent years, everything is in my hands. We will try to have a good and trouble-free season from the’beginning”.

“We must always be prepared for whatever may happen. Our rivals will certainly have improved a lot”, warned Marquez, who at the moment has not opened up about contract renewal with the Borgo Panigale stable: “2027 Ducati is my first option, we are talking”. On the contract issue, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi was clear: “The priority is to renew Marc Marquez”.

“He has very interesting offers on the table, of course. On a technical and economic level, we have an’opportunity, he knows us and we know him, this allows us to wait a little bit’ because we have a good feeling, but we still need a little bit’ of time to make a decision”.

“We have to wait a little bit more.

“Hopefully he will make it soon and it will be to continue with Ducati, of course. But he asked us for some time and we gave it to him. Pecco? Once we know whether Marc will continue with us or not, we will think about the’other rider. What is clear is that if Marquez decides to leave, the priority will be to renew Bagnaia”.

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