Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has admitted the start of the 2026 MotoGP season was “a nightmare” after pre-season optimism quickly gave way to unexpected challenges.
Following the Sepang test, Tardozzi believed Ducati was set for a dominant campaign, with five Desmosedici machines finishing inside the top six and reigning world champion Marc Marquez showing encouraging signs on his return from injury.
“We thought we were heading into a nice year,” Tardozzi reflected.
However, Ducati’s expectations were soon disrupted as Aprilia made what Tardozzi described as a “huge step” forward between the Sepang and Buriram tests.
At the same time, Marquez’s comeback was hindered by an undiagnosed compressed radial nerve in his right arm, slowing his recovery from the shoulder injuries he suffered at Mandalika late last season.
The combination of Aprilia’s surge in performance and Marquez’s fitness struggles left Ducati on the back foot during the opening rounds.
Aprilia capitalised by winning the first three Grands Prix of the season through Marco Bezzecchi, while Jorge Martin added a Sprint victory to strengthen the manufacturer’s early dominance.
In contrast, Ducati managed just a single Sprint win before the championship returned to Europe, falling short of the lofty expectations generated during pre-season testing.
Despite the difficult start, Ducati have since shown signs of recovery, with Marquez’s recent return to winning form providing renewed optimism for the remainder of the campaign.
