Francesco Bagnaia has enjoyed Ducati’s best season in MotoGP since joining the Italian factory in 2021, but their gap to the rest of the field is slowly closing.
of MotoGP discount levels They helped development opportunities Ducati In recent years, competitive bike manufacturers, in a bid to reduce the spread of the field and create closer racing up and down the grid.
With three days of testing for the 2026 premier class campaign now in the books, it’s clear that Ducati still have the edge over their opponents, but as the season progresses we’re seeing more and more constructors close the gap to the Bologna Bullets.
Aprilia In the year They confirmed that they are chasing the Ducati crown at the end of 2025. Honda And KTM They are also making advancements in the field of maintaining a handful of platforms in bicycle development.
This is certainly a cause for concern in Ducati, but there is one developer in particular Francesco Bagnaia He thinks that this year will be a thorn for the Italian developer.
- Read more: Mauro Gracili shares what Luigi Daleigna had to say about Francesco Bagnaia at the Sepang test
Francesco Bagnaia names Aprilia ‘most improved’ MotoGP team in recent years
During the interview with GPONBagnaia was asked for his thoughts on the grid pecking order following the conclusion of the third and final day of the first MotoGP test at Sepang.
Two-time world champion Ducati has revealed he is “limited” in testing opportunities due to their dominance and cutbacks, but still sees his Italian factory as his favourite.
He said: “The favorite bike from 2021/2022, I think maybe earlier. But since I’ve been here, the Ducati has always been the most competitive bike for me.”
“In 2021, I was a little too inexperienced to think about winning the title, but that was the bike to win. The other bikes have improved. In my opinion, Aprilia has improved a lot.
“KTM is doing well. Honda has improved a lot. Yamaha He started a whole new project, and it didn’t go bad.
“Everyone is improving. Ducati is very limited because of the regulations, but he still works hard and knows where to work.”
In their respective launch events for the upcoming premiere episode campaign, A war of words began between Aprilia and Ducati If the Nole-based factory takes the fight right this season, it could turn into a heated competition.
Ducati employees responded to several jabs sent by their Aprilia counterparts, including one Pedro Acosta replaces Bagnaya. At Borgo Panigale for 2027
- Read more: Marco Bezecchi shares his feelings about Francesco Bagnaia becoming his Aprilia teammate.
Francesco Bagnaia has been linked with an Aprilia move in the 2027 MotoGP rider market.
Bagnaia’s comments about Ducati’s main rivals come after several rumors linked him to Aprilia’s seat in 2027 for MotoGP’s new tenure.
The Italian’s future at Borgo Panigale is a big question mark following a disappointing campaign in 2025, which has left him vulnerable to a 2025 bid by Ducati.
Rider agent Alberto Vergani believes that the Aprilia Bagnaia is the ‘best option’ If forced to step down from his current seat due to his closeness with Ducati after years of hard work and good growth.
Three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo recently echoed this sentiment.Marco Bezecchi and Bagnaia hint at how Noale would make an Italian dream team.
