As MotoGP prepares to return to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Aprilia rider Jorge Martin is confident that Ducati will soon be back in contention for race victories. Despite a challenging start to the 2026 MotoGP season, Martin believes that the upcoming round in Spain will mark a turning point for the Italian manufacturer.
Ducati, which dominated the opening rounds last season, has faced a tougher campaign this year. While the team has secured a sprint race win in Brazil and podium finishes in two additional sprint events, only one grand prix podium has been achieved so far—courtesy of VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio in Brazil. Reigning world champion Marc Marquez has yet to finish inside the top three on a Sunday, a stark contrast to Ducati’s dominant form just twelve months ago.
Meanwhile, Aprilia has established itself as the team to beat on Sundays, with Marco Bezzecchi claiming three consecutive grand prix victories in Thailand, Brazil, and the United States. Jorge Martin, for his part, has also enjoyed a strong start despite missing the first pre-season test due to injury. After a fourth-place finish in Thailand, Martin returned to the podium in Brazil and secured a sprint victory at COTA, later finishing second in the main race. He now sits just four points behind his championship-leading teammate, Marco Bezzecchi.
Speaking to DAZN, Martin expressed optimism about Ducati’s prospects at Jerez:
> “At Jerez, everything will return to normal. Ducati will return to normal.”
Ducati General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna has described the recent US Grand Prix as a “wake-up call” for the team, signaling the urgency to regain their competitive edge.
Reflecting on his own recent performances, Martin revealed that he had modest expectations heading into Austin, aiming to quietly accumulate points rather than chase outright victories.
> “Coming into Austin, the truth is I didn’t expect this. I tried to lower my expectations a bit. We weren’t ready. The plan was to get through two or three races flying under the radar, keep scoring points; fifth, eighth, whatever comes will be good,” Martin stated.
> “The end of the season is usually my time, but I don’t want to rush things.”
Looking ahead, Martin is set to leave Aprilia at the conclusion of the season, with reports indicating he has signed with Yamaha for 2027. His seat at Aprilia is expected to be filled by Pecco Bagnaia.
With the Spanish Grand Prix on the horizon, all eyes will be on Ducati to see if they can recapture their winning form and reassert themselves as title contenders in the fiercely competitive MotoGP field.
