Marc Marquez’s continued dominance has drawn much praise from Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna, who described the Spanish rider’s latest weekend as “absolutely perfect” and “another masterpiece” in an emphatic mid-season assessment. As MotoGP heads towards its summer break, Dall’Igna used the pause to reflect on the first half of 2026 and highlight Marquez’s exceptional form, while warning that the world championship battle is still far from decided.
Márquez performed flawlessly, securing pole position and his 19th sprint victory. Dall’Igna clearly praised him: “Last weekend was perfect,” he wrote, emphasizing Marquez’s undeniable control. “He led from start to finish on both Saturday and Sunday,” the Ducati chief said. He described the performance as “a display of excellence that is difficult to match.” Márquez’s achievements at the circuit now total 13 wins – 10 of which in MotoGP’s premier class – allowing him to “equal a legend like Giacomo Agostini” and further cement his legacy.
Beyond statistics, Dall’Igna focused on the development of Marquez’s horsemanship. He noted the Spaniard’s new balance between clear pace and risk management, saying, “He sets the pace with a clean, incredibly fast style, able to manage the bike without ever crossing the line.” For Dall’Igna, this maturity is what distinguishes true champions: “He never stops mastering his craft,” even if it means “adopting a riding style that may seem less spectacular.” He added that Marquez’s approach is now “adapted to doing exactly what is necessary in each moment, without taking unnecessary risks and with exquisite elegance.”
Dall’Igna also recalled Marquez’s remarkable turnaround after falling 102 points behind the championship leader after Mugello. “The period after surgery could not have gone better,” he said, celebrating the rider’s new confidence and happiness in the Ducati box: “His smile is back, and we are absolutely delighted.”
Despite Márquez’s victory, Dall’Igna regretted what could have been a more impressive weekend for Ducati, following the crashes of Alex Márquez and Fabio di Giannantonio. “Things could have gone even better for Ducati,” he admitted, referring to a near repeat of Saturday’s all-red podium. He said, “It’s really a shame that Alex and DiGia crashed while racing second and fourth.” He reported that Alex Márquez was “the only one capable of maintaining his brother’s pace”, while Di Gianantonio was “still in contention for a significant result” despite a poor start.
Francesco Bagnaia’s sixth place was also commented on, with Dall’Igna reporting that the reigning dual world champion “limited the damage” after a dip in performance midway through the race, culminating in a “final duel with George Martin”.
Addressing the championship approach, Dall’Igna stressed that “the standings have changed and the World Championship is wide open,” noting that “there are five contenders with only 24 points difference between them.” He urged caution and perseverance: “It is necessary to keep fighting to the end. This year, more than ever.”
Beyond MotoGP, Dall’Igna celebrated Ducati’s 22nd Constructors’ title in World Superbike – its fifth consecutive crown – as “the perfect way to celebrate Ducati’s centenary”, crediting Panigale’s technical developments and the efforts of riders Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona, who delivered “24 wins and 44 podiums”. He concluded by praising Stefano Cecconi for his sporting leadership and Marco Zambenedetti for his technical contributions, expressing his gratitude to the entire team for their tireless commitment that keeps Ducati at the forefront of both MotoGP and WorldSBK.
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