News Summary
- Ducati has denied building its GP26 specifically for Marc Márquez, despite the performance difference between the Spaniard and Francesco Bagnaia.
- Jorge Martín leads Márquez by just two points with five rounds remaining, while Aprilia considers team orders.
- The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island takes place on October 23–25, with injuries and the championship battle shaping preparations.
The latest MotoGP news on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, centres on Ducati’s response to criticism of its motorcycle development programme and the growing pressure surrounding Marc Márquez’s championship challenge.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has rejected suggestions that the Desmosedici GP26 was designed around Márquez’s preferences, arguing that Francesco Bagnaia and the manufacturer’s other riders have access to different technical configurations.
The controversy comes after Aprilia dominated the Indonesian Grand Prix, leaving Márquez just two points behind championship leader Jorge Martín ahead of the Australian round.
Ducati denies building MotoGP bike around Márquez
Davide Tardozzi has firmly rejected accusations that Ducati developed its 2026 motorcycle specifically for Marc Márquez, dismissing claims that the manufacturer’s technical direction has disadvantaged Francesco Bagnaia.
The Ducati team manager explained that Bagnaia has used different aerodynamic components from Márquez, including an alternative fairing and swingarm configuration.
Tardozzi also stressed that Ducati’s other factory-supported riders can select components that better suit their individual riding styles.
The comments follow a difficult season for Bagnaia, who has struggled to match Márquez’s results while Aprilia has emerged as a major threat to Ducati’s competitiveness.
Read more: Ducati hits back at claims it built MotoGP bike around Márquez as Bagnaia struggles.
Márquez remains just two points behind Martín
The championship battle remains exceptionally close following the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Jorge Martín leads with 355 points, while Márquez has 353, leaving the Ducati rider within striking distance with five rounds remaining.
Márquez won Saturday’s sprint at Mandalika and briefly took the championship lead, but Aprilia dominated Sunday’s grand prix.
Marco Bezzecchi won ahead of Raúl Fernández, Martín and Ai Ogura, while Márquez finished sixth.
Despite Aprilia occupying the first four positions, Martín gained only enough points to restore his previous two-point advantage.
Márquez can regain the outright championship lead in Australia by outscoring Martín by at least three points across the weekend.
Read the full breakdown: Can Marc Márquez regain the MotoGP championship lead at Phillip Island?.
Aprilia faces team orders decision
Aprilia is considering whether to introduce team orders during the final stages of the championship to strengthen Martín’s challenge against Márquez.
Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini has acknowledged that the manufacturer is discussing guidelines for its riders and could reconsider its approach after another one or two races.
The decision is complicated by Bezzecchi’s position in the championship. The Italian remains third, 46 points behind Martín, and has won five grands prix this season.
Trackhouse riders Fernández and Ogura have also demonstrated race-winning potential, raising questions about how Aprilia would coordinate its factory and independent teams.
No formal instructions requiring riders to surrender positions have been confirmed.
Read more: Trackhouse emerges as key factor in Aprilia’s MotoGP team orders dilemma.
Bezzecchi still has a mathematical path to the title
Marco Bezzecchi remains mathematically in contention for the 2026 MotoGP championship, although his 46-point deficit to Martín makes his task difficult.
The Italian’s victory in Indonesia strengthened his position, but he needs to consistently outscore both Martín and Márquez during the remaining rounds.
With five weekends left, a maximum of 185 points remains available.
Bezzecchi must recover an average of more than nine points per weekend against Martín to overturn the current deficit.
His championship ambitions could also become complicated if Aprilia decides to prioritise Martín as the season approaches its conclusion.
Read the analysis: Bezzecchi is 46 points behind Martín. Can he still win the 2026 MotoGP title?.
Razgatlıoğlu and Aldeguer face recovery challenges
Two riders are dealing with injuries following the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu suffered a right-shoulder dislocation, raising concerns about whether surgery might be required and how the injury could affect his Australian Grand Prix preparations.
The Pramac Yamaha rider was scheduled for further medical evaluation to establish the extent of the damage.
Read more: Razgatlıoğlu faces surgery risk after Indonesian MotoGP shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Fermín Aldeguer requires surgery after fracturing his right hand during a difficult weekend at Mandalika, where he suffered four crashes.
The Gresini Ducati rider’s recovery timetable remains subject to medical assessment.
Read more: Aldeguer’s Indonesian GP nightmare ends in surgery after four crashes.
When is the next MotoGP race?
The next MotoGP race is the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The event takes place from October 23 to 25, with practice on Friday, qualifying and the sprint on Saturday, and the grand prix on Sunday.
Phillip Island’s fast corners, coastal winds and demanding tyre conditions could influence the competitive balance between Aprilia and Ducati.
The Australian GP schedule and international session times are available on GRANDE PRÊMIO.
The technical analysis Why Phillip Island could change the Martín–Márquez MotoGP title fight examines the circuit’s characteristics, tyre management and the strategic decisions facing both manufacturers.
