{"id":1902031,"date":"2026-04-25T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T03:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902031"},"modified":"2026-04-25T06:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T03:30:00","slug":"ducati-issues-defiant-motogp-statement-weve-never-had-a-real-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902031","title":{"rendered":"Ducati issues defiant MotoGP statement: \u2018We\u2019ve never had a real crisis\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Ducati issues defiant MotoGP statement: \u2018We\u2019ve never had a real crisis\u2019<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi has defended the marque\u2019s sluggish start to the 2026 MotoGP season following a return to form on Friday at Jerez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Duncan <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-25T07:30:00+01:00\">25 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Corse, 2026 Spanish MotoGP<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ducati MotoGP team manager Davide Tardozzi insists Ducati \u201cnever had a real crisis\u201d, following a return to form on Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>The reigning world champion manufacturer has gone without a grand prix victory since last year\u2019s Malaysian round, while it has only one Sunday rostrum to its credit across the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>That comes as Aprilia enjoys a five-grand prix victory streak with Marco Bezzecchi, who has also dominated the first three rounds of the new season.<\/p>\n<p>But Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix saw Ducati look much stronger, with Alex Marquez leading the timesheets and going half a second faster than the leading Aprilia.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati also put in strong race running during Friday afternoon\u2019s Practice, with Bezzecchi admitting that Alex Marquez is a step ahead right now.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2><strong>\u2018Ducati is still there\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tardozzi was somewhat defiant after Friday practice when speaking to <em>Sky Italy<\/em>, noting: \u201cWe&#8217;re leading with Alex Marquez, who put in an extraordinary lap.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have five riders in the top ten in pre-qualifying, and I think this is a good sign.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-32f41f34e2d5c784df5a43460198eb62fc677f0378599af379fadda1e22372d6\">  Marc Marquez warns Jerez MotoGP podium \u201coptimistic\u201d, \u201cI don&#8217;t have the potential to attack\u201d   Pecco Bagnaia \u201cdestroyed\u201d bike with important \u201cmodification\u201d in Jerez MotoGP practice <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOver the last month, we&#8217;ve had some sound and constructive discussions about making changes to the bike, which have also proven extremely useful for the satellite teams, as Gresini demonstrated today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve never had a real crisis, but we must also give credit to our rivals: Aprilia has made a truly enormous leap in quality. But Ducati is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ducati\u2019s factory team is currently in the midst of its worst podium drought in over a decade, with neither Marc Marquez, nor Pecco Bagnaia, reaching the rostrum on a Sunday since last year\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-292687f011ced0c002bf09158e1057c75aff44c7a1700c78d582845e9a98992f\">  Ducati \u201cfound something\u201d for Jerez MotoGP, pinpoint Aprilia advantage   Pecco Bagnaia offers worrying Ducati &#8220;DNA&#8221; MotoGP insight <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Italian brand introduced an electronics update to help improve the GP26 under braking, though the likes of Alex Marquez and Bagnaia said the same problems were persisting.<\/p>\n<p>Marc Marquez has also cautioned that his hopes of a podium this weekend are slim at this stage, as he is struggling to match the form shown by Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati will be going for a third pole of the 2026 season later on Saturday morning at Jerez, after Di Giannantonio topped qualifying in Brazil and the USA.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Ducati Lenovo Team<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Marc Marquez warns Jerez MotoGP podium \u201coptimistic\u201d, \u201cI don&#8217;t have the potential to attack\u201d<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306792_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-c87253f1eae7180e30f7cd534569cb94dc1534c900b586bf829f5872da0c01e4\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Duncan<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Head of Editorial<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<div>Lewis joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having been a journalist for five years covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network. In February of 2026, he became Head of Editorial.\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-804c996ead7ca625f6caab5ead9433df60feb825f261287b0091d845b05c0023\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Marc Marquez doubts Jerez MotoGP pecking order claims<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776950248\"> 23\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305856_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 Spanish MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marc Marquez shows COTA wound ahead of Spanish MotoGP<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776944229\"> 23\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305822_hires-1.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez shows COTA arm injury, 2026 Spanish MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marc Marquez \u201cmade the most\u201d of MotoGP break: \u201cI can&#8217;t wait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776849537\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300637_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, 2026 US MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pecco Bagnaia seeking 2022-style turnaround at \u201cone of the classics\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776847257\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_986172_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pecco Bagnaia, 2022 Spanish MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Podcast: MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix preview<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776776485\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303890_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"2026 US MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ducati boss backs Marc Marquez to be \u201c100% fit\u201d for Spanish MotoGP<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776684643\"> 20\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304441_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, 2026 US MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi has defended the marque\u2019s sluggish start to the 2026 MotoGP season following a return to form on Friday at Jerez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ducati MotoGP team manager Davide Tardozzi insists Ducati \u201cnever had a real crisis\u201d, following a return to form on Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>The reigning world champion manufacturer has gone without a grand prix victory since last year\u2019s Malaysian round, while it has only one Sunday rostrum to its credit across the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>That comes as Aprilia enjoys a five-grand prix victory streak with Marco Bezzecchi, who has also dominated the first three rounds of the new season.<\/p>\n<p>But Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix saw Ducati look much stronger, with Alex Marquez leading the timesheets and going half a second faster than the leading Aprilia.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati also put in strong race running during Friday afternoon\u2019s Practice, with Bezzecchi admitting that Alex Marquez is a step ahead right now.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2><strong>\u2018Ducati is still there\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tardozzi was somewhat defiant after Friday practice when speaking to <em>Sky Italy<\/em>, noting: \u201cWe&#8217;re leading with Alex Marquez, who put in an extraordinary lap.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have five riders in the top ten in pre-qualifying, and I think this is a good sign.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-32f41f34e2d5c784df5a43460198eb62fc677f0378599af379fadda1e22372d6\">  Marc Marquez warns Jerez MotoGP podium \u201coptimistic\u201d, \u201cI don&#8217;t have the potential to attack\u201d   Pecco Bagnaia \u201cdestroyed\u201d bike with important \u201cmodification\u201d in Jerez MotoGP practice <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOver the last month, we&#8217;ve had some sound and constructive discussions about making changes to the bike, which have also proven extremely useful for the satellite teams, as Gresini demonstrated today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve never had a real crisis, but we must also give credit to our rivals: Aprilia has made a truly enormous leap in quality. But Ducati is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ducati\u2019s factory team is currently in the midst of its worst podium drought in over a decade, with neither Marc Marquez, nor Pecco Bagnaia, reaching the rostrum on a Sunday since last year\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-292687f011ced0c002bf09158e1057c75aff44c7a1700c78d582845e9a98992f\">  Ducati \u201cfound something\u201d for Jerez MotoGP, pinpoint Aprilia advantage   Pecco Bagnaia offers worrying Ducati &#8220;DNA&#8221; MotoGP insight <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Italian brand introduced an electronics update to help improve the GP26 under braking, though the likes of Alex Marquez and Bagnaia said the same problems were persisting.<\/p>\n<p>Marc Marquez has also cautioned that his hopes of a podium this weekend are slim at this stage, as he is struggling to match the form shown by Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati will be going for a third pole of the 2026 season later on Saturday morning at Jerez, after Di Giannantonio topped qualifying in Brazil and the USA.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ducati MotoGP team manager Davide Tardozzi insists Ducati \u201cnever had a real crisis\u201d, following a return to form on Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>The reigning world champion manufacturer has gone without a grand prix victory since last year\u2019s Malaysian round, while it has only one Sunday rostrum to its credit across the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>That comes as Aprilia enjoys a five-grand prix victory streak with Marco Bezzecchi, who has also dominated the first three rounds of the new season.<\/p>\n<p>But Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix saw Ducati look much stronger, with Alex Marquez leading the timesheets and going half a second faster than the leading Aprilia.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati also put in strong race running during Friday afternoon\u2019s Practice, with Bezzecchi admitting that Alex Marquez is a step ahead right now.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2><strong>\u2018Ducati is still there\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tardozzi was somewhat defiant after Friday practice when speaking to <em>Sky Italy<\/em>, noting: \u201cWe&#8217;re leading with Alex Marquez, who put in an extraordinary lap.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have five riders in the top ten in pre-qualifying, and I think this is a good sign.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-32f41f34e2d5c784df5a43460198eb62fc677f0378599af379fadda1e22372d6\">  Marc Marquez warns Jerez MotoGP podium \u201coptimistic\u201d, \u201cI don&#8217;t have the potential to attack\u201d   Pecco Bagnaia \u201cdestroyed\u201d bike with important \u201cmodification\u201d in Jerez MotoGP practice <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOver the last month, we&#8217;ve had some sound and constructive discussions about making changes to the bike, which have also proven extremely useful for the satellite teams, as Gresini demonstrated today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve never had a real crisis, but we must also give credit to our rivals: Aprilia has made a truly enormous leap in quality. But Ducati is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ducati\u2019s factory team is currently in the midst of its worst podium drought in over a decade, with neither Marc Marquez, nor Pecco Bagnaia, reaching the rostrum on a Sunday since last year\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-292687f011ced0c002bf09158e1057c75aff44c7a1700c78d582845e9a98992f\">  Ducati \u201cfound something\u201d for Jerez MotoGP, pinpoint Aprilia advantage   Pecco Bagnaia offers worrying Ducati &#8220;DNA&#8221; MotoGP insight <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Italian brand introduced an electronics update to help improve the GP26 under braking, though the likes of Alex Marquez and Bagnaia said the same problems were persisting.<\/p>\n<p>Marc Marquez has also cautioned that his hopes of a podium this weekend are slim at this stage, as he is struggling to match the form shown by Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Ducati will be going for a third pole of the 2026 season later on Saturday morning at Jerez, after Di Giannantonio topped qualifying in Brazil and the USA.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1093427\/1\/ducati-issues-defiant-motogp-statement-weve-never-had-real-crisis&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1306299_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Ducati issues defiant MotoGP statement: \u2018We\u2019ve never had a real crisis\u2019 Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi has defended the marque\u2019s sluggish start to the 2026 MotoGP season following a return to form on Friday at Jerez Lewis Duncan 25 Apr 2026 Share Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Corse, 2026 Spanish MotoGP \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose Add [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1902031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1902031"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902031\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1902031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1902031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1902031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}