Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 rider, believes that in the 2026 MotoGP season, the riders have a more significant impact than the characteristics of the circuits in the competition between Ducati and Aprilia.
The championship has shown a leadership exchange between the two Italian manufacturers, with the Aprilia RS-GP dominating in fast corners, while the Ducati GP26 excels in circuits with frequent stops. This dynamic has generated expectations about which circuits will favor each of the bikes, based on track design.
However, Di Giannantonio argues that Marc Márquez’s current momentum, with five wins in the last seven races, demonstrates that the track is not a decisive factor in the title fight. ‘Looking for circuits that benefit Ducati or Aprilia is an issue that favors the press, just as before there was talk about the tracks of Honda or Yamaha,’ he stated.
According to the Italian, ‘there are incredible riders in both teams, and whoever works better will end up winning. Aprilia is doing a great job, but Márquez is silencing everything. It all depends on how they adapt to the bikes.’
Di Giannantonio has been one of Ducati’s most consistent riders, occupying prominent positions before Márquez’s resurgence. Recently, he finished seventh in Misano, after a complicated start. With 51 points less than the championship leaders, Márquez and Jorge Martín, his situation seems difficult, although he keeps his morale high.
Looking ahead to the next race in Austria, Di Giannantonio expressed that, despite his mixed mood, his team’s speed conditions are positive. ‘We will arrive in Austria with a high mindset because we know we can do things well.’
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
