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- Ducati has denied building its GP26 specifically for Marc M\u00e1rquez<\/strong>, despite the performance difference between the Spaniard and Francesco Bagnaia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jorge Mart\u00edn leads M\u00e1rquez by just two points<\/strong> with five rounds remaining, while Aprilia considers team orders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island takes place on October 23\u201325, with injuries and the championship battle shaping preparations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The latest MotoGP news on Tuesday, October 13, 2026<\/strong>, centres on Ducati’s response to criticism of its motorcycle development programme and the growing pressure surrounding Marc M\u00e1rquez’s championship challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has rejected suggestions that the Desmosedici GP26 was designed around M\u00e1rquez’s preferences, arguing that Francesco Bagnaia and the manufacturer’s other riders have access to different technical configurations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The controversy comes after Aprilia dominated the Indonesian Grand Prix, leaving M\u00e1rquez just two points behind championship leader Jorge Mart\u00edn ahead of the Australian round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ducati denies building MotoGP bike around M\u00e1rquez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Davide Tardozzi has firmly rejected accusations that Ducati developed its 2026 motorcycle specifically for Marc M\u00e1rquez<\/strong>, dismissing claims that the manufacturer’s technical direction has disadvantaged Francesco Bagnaia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ducati team manager explained that Bagnaia has used different aerodynamic components from M\u00e1rquez, including an alternative fairing and swingarm configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tardozzi also stressed that Ducati’s other factory-supported riders can select components that better suit their individual riding styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The comments follow a difficult season for Bagnaia, who has struggled to match M\u00e1rquez’s results while Aprilia has emerged as a major threat to Ducati’s competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Ducati hits back at claims it built MotoGP bike around M\u00e1rquez as Bagnaia struggles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M\u00e1rquez remains just two points behind Mart\u00edn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The championship battle remains exceptionally close following the Indonesian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jorge Mart\u00edn leads with 355 points, while M\u00e1rquez has 353<\/strong>, leaving the Ducati rider within striking distance with five rounds remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M\u00e1rquez won Saturday’s sprint at Mandalika and briefly took the championship lead, but Aprilia dominated Sunday’s grand prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marco Bezzecchi won ahead of Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez, Mart\u00edn and Ai Ogura, while M\u00e1rquez finished sixth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Aprilia occupying the first four positions, Mart\u00edn gained only enough points to restore his previous two-point advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M\u00e1rquez can regain the outright championship lead in Australia by outscoring Mart\u00edn by at least three points across the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read the full breakdown: Can Marc M\u00e1rquez regain the MotoGP championship lead at Phillip Island?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aprilia faces team orders decision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Aprilia is considering whether to introduce team orders during the final stages of the championship<\/strong> to strengthen Mart\u00edn’s challenge against M\u00e1rquez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision is complicated by Bezzecchi’s position in the championship. The Italian remains third, 46 points behind Mart\u00edn, and has won five grands prix this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trackhouse riders Fern\u00e1ndez and Ogura have also demonstrated race-winning potential, raising questions about how Aprilia would coordinate its factory and independent teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No formal instructions requiring riders to surrender positions have been confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Trackhouse emerges as key factor in Aprilia’s MotoGP team orders dilemma<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"MOTOGP](\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/motogp-indonesia-mandalika-aprilia-jorge-martin-7-1024x576.png\")
Jorge Mart\u00edn (Photo: Michelin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Bezzecchi still has a mathematical path to the title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Marco Bezzecchi remains mathematically in contention for the 2026 MotoGP championship<\/strong>, although his 46-point deficit to Mart\u00edn makes his task difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Italian’s victory in Indonesia strengthened his position, but he needs to consistently outscore both Mart\u00edn and M\u00e1rquez during the remaining rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With five weekends left, a maximum of 185 points remains available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bezzecchi must recover an average of more than nine points per weekend against Mart\u00edn to overturn the current deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His championship ambitions could also become complicated if Aprilia decides to prioritise Mart\u00edn as the season approaches its conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read the analysis: Bezzecchi is 46 points behind Mart\u00edn. Can he still win the 2026 MotoGP title?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Razgatl\u0131o\u011flu and Aldeguer face recovery challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Two riders are dealing with injuries following the Indonesian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toprak Razgatl\u0131o\u011flu suffered a right-shoulder dislocation<\/strong>, raising concerns about whether surgery might be required and how the injury could affect his Australian Grand Prix preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pramac Yamaha rider was scheduled for further medical evaluation to establish the extent of the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Razgatl\u0131o\u011flu faces surgery risk after Indonesian MotoGP shoulder injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Ferm\u00edn Aldeguer requires surgery after fracturing his right hand<\/strong> during a difficult weekend at Mandalika, where he suffered four crashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gresini Ducati rider’s recovery timetable remains subject to medical assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Aldeguer’s Indonesian GP nightmare ends in surgery after four crashes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When is the next MotoGP race?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The next MotoGP race is the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, on Sunday, October 25, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phillip Island’s fast corners, coastal winds and demanding tyre conditions could influence the competitive balance between Aprilia and Ducati.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Jorge Mart\u00edn leads M\u00e1rquez by just two points<\/strong> with five rounds remaining, while Aprilia considers team orders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n