Silvan Guintoli says Ducati’s 2026 season depends heavily on their performance in Jerez this weekend, as a loss to Aprilia could be game for them.
In the year Although the winner of the 2025 Construction Manufacturers Championship, Ducati They don’t look like champions compared to their rivals this season. Aprilia.
Apria has dominated the gate, winning every race so far and finishing one-two in two of the three races this season.
Can Marco Bezecic beat Jorge Martin in the Aprilia for the MotoGP title this season?
The advantage of Aprilia in the race against Ducati It is clear to see as both Mark Marquez And Francesco Bagnaia It seems very slow compared to George Martin And Marco Bezecchi.
Ducati has dominated Spanish Grand Prix In recent years. But losing their run at Jerez doesn’t just hurt their pride; It could also derail their season.
Read more: Giacomo Agostini explains why he prefers to ride Ducati on the 2026 Aprilia MotoGP bike.
Silvan Guintoli says Ducati must win a ‘big battle’ with Aprilia at the Spanish GP.
Speaking on Get off the gas podcast, Sylvan Guintoli He talked about the Spanish Grand Prix and the resumption of the battle between Aprilia and Ducati.
He believes that Apria, which few would have expected this time last year, has demonstrated its dominance. But Ducati must overcome this dominance for the sake of their season at Jerez.
“But Aprilia you can’t really compare them to last season, especially the beginning of last season. They did a lot in the second class last year and in the winter.
“It’s a completely different package now. I think the fight is definitely on. Martin will be extremely strong, because he’s still progressing and recovering.”
“We have a big battle on our hands. If the Apria wins in Jerez, Ducati will be in big trouble for the rest of the season.”
Read more: Francesco Bagnaia thinks Ducati has ‘something different’ in Jerez after studying data
Alex Marquez Scores first MotoGP win at Jerez in 2025 – Who will be the next Spanish GP winner?
Silvan Guintoli explains why Ducati are ‘under a lot of pressure’ ahead of the Spanish GP.
Speaking further on the podcast, Guintoli said that Aprilia have not defied expectations with their performance this season.
But Marc Marquez and Ducati’s history at Jerez, combined with Aprilia’s struggles this season, put them under huge pressure to win this weekend.
“It’s important because Aprilia was so dominant at the beginning of the season that we were losing excuses.
“The first two in Thailand and Brazil have treated tires, we thought, ‘Okay, okay, they can use that better. They have more side grip, that’s the difference.’
“Then we go to Austin, the standard rear tire, and they still destroy everyone. Now, when we return to Jerez, that is the reference. It is the back garden of Ducati. They have been winning the last five years.
“Marc Marquez is very quick there as well. He has another three weeks to recover from his shoulder. Everything is on the line there. There is a lot of pressure on them.”
Marc Marquez’s real championship fight It will start at the Spanish Grand Prix, as the legendary rider is expected to be fitter than he has been at any point in the first three races of the season.
In a much-needed recovery period, Marquez could return to his title-winning streak last year and begin his comeback against Jorge Martin and Marco Bezecchi.
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