Reshuffled standings

We’re halfway through a brilliant season, and my notes on Sunday’s race mingle with the halfway mark considerations on this unpredictable and thrilling 2026 MotoGP season – but that’s not all. 

Last weekend was absolutely perfect, with yet another masterpiece served by a Marc in top form: pole position, 19th Sprint Race win, the GP Race with the fastest lap and, what’s more, leading from start to finish on both Saturday and Sunday. An absolute dominance that is also a triumph of incredible statistics: of his 13 total wins on this track – his veritable domain – 10 have been attained in MotoGP, securing his place in history by equalling a legend by the name of Giacomo Agostini. He sets the pace with a clean and fast drive, whilst at the same time managing the bike without ever overdoing it, steady and solid as usual: the talent of a true champion who never stops refining his mastery, even with a racing style that is, on the face of it, less spectacular, but optimised to do what is needed, when needed, without taking unnecessary risks, and with sublime elegance. It is his third win in the last four races and his second Sprint-GP one-two, following the one in Hungary. I’m thinking of the Marc who was 102 points behind the leader after Mugello... The post-surgery period couldn’t have gone better: his bike is brilliantly back on the track and his smile is back in the pits – we’re all absolutely delighted. 

Things could have gone even better for Ducati had we managed to repeat the brilliant all-Ducati podium finish we accomplished on Saturday. It was a real shame that Alex Marquez and Diggia crashed whilst in 2nd and 4th place respectively: Alex was the only one keeping up with his brother, whilst Fabio, despite a less-than-perfect start, was still in contention for something significant in the overall standings as well. After a dip in performance midway through the race, Bagnaia limited the damage and secured a sixth-place finish that felt like a final showdown with Martin. The standings have been shaken up, and the World Championship is wide open again for all the top riders, and not just them. We count five contenders within a mere 24 points. It’s a long season, as we’ve always said, in which anything can happen to anyone, as we’ve clearly seen. Yes, it is essential to never to take anything for granted and to keep fighting right to the end. And this year, that’s even more important. Happy summer break to all the teams and riders. See you all at the British Grand Prix weekend, ready to enjoy the second half of such a thrilling and spectacular championship, whatever the outcome. 

And let’s hope it goes as well as it did in SBK! It was a huge celebration for Ducati, which on Sunday clinched its 22nd Constructors’ title – yet another record – its magnificent fifth consecutive championship, the perfect way to mark the family’s centenary in a major championship that we all follow with the utmost interest and to which, by tradition, we are deeply attached: this is demonstrated by the constant development and performance of a motorbike that sets the category’s benchmark and confirms the strength of a technical project and its evolution. The string of victories and podium finishes achieved by Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona is truly incredible: 24 wins and 44 podium finishes for the two formidable riders from Team Aruba.it Racing, who are also celebrating the team title today! The fifth in its history, and all in a row – brilliant! I would particularly like to thank Stefano Cecconi for his sport leadership of this wonderful group, and Marco Zambenedetti for his technical contribution. And, last but by no mean least, heartfelt thanks go to everyone whose hard work, commitment and dedication have made it possible for us to feel so very proud of our Team today.

#Ducati #DucatiLenovoTeam #ForzaDucati #MotoGP