Alex Marquez to ride factory-spec Ducati in MotoGP 2026

Alex Marquez will be given a fourth current-spec MotoGP Ducati in 2026, joining Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia and VR46's Fabio Di Giannantonio with this top-tier status.

Next season, the final one under the current technical regulations before MotoGP undergoes major changes in 2027, Ducati will expand to four latest-spec bikes, from three for this year. Despite speculation that it might run six identical machines, this has once again been ruled out, mainly for production and contractual reasons.

Autosport has learned that the fourth GP26 unit will be assigned to Gresini Racing and Alex Marquez.

Ducati’s top management informed all parties of the decision last Sunday at Misano, after Valentino Rossi’s team declined the option of running two latest-spec bike in 2026. Ducati then chose to hand it to the rider who, in their eyes, most deserves it this year: the younger Marquez brother, currently sitting second in the championship.

Amid controversy and debate over the potential of the latest Desmosedici version, the GP25, Ducati seriously considered a standard ‘GP26’ prototype for all six riders. This would have to be based on one of the already-homologated machines, as engines are frozen for next season.

But Marc Marquez’s performance and competitiveness on the GP25 erased any doubts, convincing Ducati to stick with four latest-spec with the existing engine, and two year-old bikes.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (following) will lose his current bike to Alex Marquez next season

Photo by: Roberto Tommasini / NurPhoto via Getty Images

For Fermin Aldeguer, the Spaniard joined Ducati with the promise of receiving a full-factory bike in his second season, something that ultimately won’t happen. To compensate, Ducati has offered him a series of concessions that could benefit his long-term career. Gigi Dall’Igna, the man behind Aldeguer’s signing, is delighted with the rookie’s performance – he is set to be crowned Rookie of the Year – and has backed him as part of a long-term project.

Ducati and Gresini, who are already contractual partners until the end of 2026, are now negotiating the terms of an agreement that would elevate Nadia Padovani’s squad to the status of Ducati’s second team, ensuring Alex receives due recognition for his outstanding season in 2025.

For his part, Alex Marquez renewed with Gresini last year on a two-year deal through 2026, though it remains unclear whether his current status within Ducati’s MotoGP rider line-up will change heading into next season.