Can Anyone Stop Ducati? 2026 Manufacturer Battle Preview

Ducati enters the 2026 MotoGP season as the dominant force, fielding eight Desmosedici GP26 machines across four teams: the factory squad, VR46 Racing, Gresini Racing, and the satellite entries. The Bologna manufacturer won 14 of 20 races in 2025 and took the riders', teams', and constructors' championships.

However, rival manufacturers have not been idle. KTM's new RC16 showed promising pace in pre-season testing, with both Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder regularly inside the top five. Aprilia's RS-GP, now in the hands of reigning champion Jorge Martin, has been refined extensively. Even Yamaha, the weakest of the four Japanese/European manufacturers in recent years, showed signs of life.

Honda remains the biggest question mark. The RC213V has been completely redesigned for 2026, with Joan Mir and Luca Marini hoping the radical changes can bring the team back to respectability after several difficult seasons.