[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://www.crash.net/sites/default/files/2026-06/gng_1330706_hires.jpg?width=1600&aspect_ratio=16:9″]
Why three MotoGP & WorldSBK riders aren’t racing at World Ducati Week
Three MotoGP and WorldSBK riders are not lining up for the Race of Champions at World Ducati Week.
Four MotoGP and WorldSBK riders will not be racing the Race of Champions at World Ducati Week this week.
The Race of Champions is a bi-annual feature at World Ducati Week, the most recent one taking place back in 2024 when Francesco Bagnaia won and Marc Marquez memorably made contact with Nicolo Bulega in the final corner.
This year’s Race of Champions will feature Bagnaia, Marquez, and Bulega, but not four other headline Ducati riders.
From WorldSBK, Iker Lecuona is absent this weekend as his wife recently gave birth. The Spaniard will spend time with his family before heading to the UK for the next WorldSBK round at Donington on 10–12 July.
Other absentees this weekend are both Gresini Racing riders from MotoGP. Fermin Aldeguer suffered a vertebra fracture during Practice at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend (26–28 June) which ruled him out of the Assen weekend as well as the Race of Champions.
Alex Marquez raced to fifth at Assen as he finished his first race since coming back from injuries he picked up at Barcelona. But he also crashed on Friday, sustaining heavy abrasions to his right arm in particular, and will not ride this weekend at Misano.
Marquez will be back on track at Sachsenring next weekend for the German MotoGP (10–12 July), although Aldeguer is expected to miss the Germany race with the injuries he sustained in the Netherlands.
Michele Pirro was also a doubt for the Race of Champions when he crashed and hurt his arm in practice on Friday, but he has continued the weekend anyway.
The Race of Champions is due to take place on Sunday (5 July), starting at 12:40 local time, or 11:40 BST.
In this article
More News
The 2027 MotoGP rider line-up and rumours so far
Official: Joan Mir joins Gresini Ducati for MotoGP 2027
First MotoGP rookie officially confirmed on 2027 grid
Ducati: MotoGP title fight “wide open” despite “anonymous” Assen
Marc Marquez: Assen must “do something” to stop MotoGP riders “flying”
Alex Marquez was ready to “stop” in Assen MotoGP before late chaos
Latest News
Trackhouse “like a low profile” in “interesting” MotoGP title fight
“Couldn’t show our true potential”: Jack Miller rues missed chance at Suzuka 8 Hours
Jonathan Rea “nervous” about Suzuka 8 Hours conditions before cancellation
Why three MotoGP & WorldSBK riders aren’t racing at World Ducati Week
2026 Suzuka 8 Hours grid after Top 10 Trial cancelled
Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter
Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox
For more information see our Privacy Policy
More News
2026 Suzuka 8 Hours cancels Top 10 Trial as bad weather hits
‘Some hate their sport’ – Marc Marquez reveals “biggest ambition” after Ducati MotoGP deal
Ducati’s MotoGP future unlikely to be impacted by the company’s sale rumours
Toprak Razgatlioglu compared to two grand prix champions by Pramac MotoGP boss
“Qualifying didn’t go as I’d hoped” – Jack Miller chasing Suzuka 8 Hours turnaround
Three MotoGP and WorldSBK riders are not lining up for the Race of Champions at World Ducati Week.
Four MotoGP and WorldSBK riders will not be racing the Race of Champions at World Ducati Week this week.
The Race of Champions is a bi-annual feature at World Ducati Week, the most recent one taking place back in 2024 when Francesco Bagnaia won and Marc Marquez memorably made contact with Nicolo Bulega in the final corner.
This year’s Race of Champions will feature Bagnaia, Marquez, and Bulega, but not four other headline Ducati riders.
From WorldSBK, Iker Lecuona is absent this weekend as his wife recently gave birth. The Spaniard will spend time with his family before heading to the UK for the next WorldSBK round at Donington on 10–12 July.
Other absentees this weekend are both Gresini Racing riders from MotoGP. Fermin Aldeguer suffered a vertebra fracture during Practice at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend (26–28 June) which ruled him out of the Assen weekend as well as the Race of Champions.
Alex Marquez raced to fifth at Assen as he finished his first race since coming back from injuries he picked up at Barcelona. But he also crashed on Friday, sustaining heavy abrasions to his right arm in particular, and will not ride this weekend at Misano.
Marquez will be back on track at Sachsenring next weekend for the German MotoGP (10–12 July), although Aldeguer is expected to miss the Germany race with the injuries he sustained in the Netherlands.
Michele Pirro was also a doubt for the Race of Champions when he crashed and hurt his arm in practice on Friday, but he has continued the weekend anyway.
The Race of Champions is due to take place on Sunday (5 July), starting at 12:40 local time, or 11:40 BST.
Four MotoGP and WorldSBK riders will not be racing the Race of Champions at World Ducati Week this week.
The Race of Champions is a bi-annual feature at World Ducati Week, the most recent one taking place back in 2024 when Francesco Bagnaia won and Marc Marquez memorably made contact with Nicolo Bulega in the final corner.
This year’s Race of Champions will feature Bagnaia, Marquez, and Bulega, but not four other headline Ducati riders.
From WorldSBK, Iker Lecuona is absent this weekend as his wife recently gave birth. The Spaniard will spend time with his family before heading to the UK for the next WorldSBK round at Donington on 10–12 July.
Other absentees this weekend are both Gresini Racing riders from MotoGP. Fermin Aldeguer suffered a vertebra fracture during Practice at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend (26–28 June) which ruled him out of the Assen weekend as well as the Race of Champions.
Alex Marquez raced to fifth at Assen as he finished his first race since coming back from injuries he picked up at Barcelona. But he also crashed on Friday, sustaining heavy abrasions to his right arm in particular, and will not ride this weekend at Misano.
Marquez will be back on track at Sachsenring next weekend for the German MotoGP (10–12 July), although Aldeguer is expected to miss the Germany race with the injuries he sustained in the Netherlands.
Michele Pirro was also a doubt for the Race of Champions when he crashed and hurt his arm in practice on Friday, but he has continued the weekend anyway.
The Race of Champions is due to take place on Sunday (5 July), starting at 12:40 local time, or 11:40 BST.
[analyse_source url=”http://crash.net/motogp/news/1100175/1/why-three-motogp-worldsbk-riders-arent-racing-world-ducati-week”]