Ducati halts development: Test rider Pirro explains the implications for MotoGP 2026

The 2026 MotoGP season marks the end of an era. This will be the last time the 1,000cc prototypes are used, before the new 850cc regulations come into force in 2027. Since the summer break at the latest, the manufacturers have been focusing a large part of their development work on the bikes for the coming season.

This is also having an impact on the balance of power in the final stages of the current season. Ducati test rider Michele Pirro confirmed to GPOne that virtually no major development steps are planned for the current Desmosedici. Instead, resources are already being channelled into the completely new 850cc project. What does this mean for the World Championship battle against Aprilia? Most recently, the RS-GP offered the strongest package.

“The plan doesn’t include many things to test, because we’re already working on the 850cc era,” explained Pirro. This means Ducati will essentially have to contest the remaining races with the existing technical package.

World Championship battle: Marc Marquez versus three Aprilias

This could prove particularly interesting, given that Aprilia has recently emerged as the dominant force. Three Aprilia riders are leading the championship. Jorge Martin is the overall leader with 240 points. His Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi has 209 points to his name, whilst Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura sits on 203 points. Silverstone winner Raul Fernandez, with 184 points, is also still among the potential World Championship contenders.

Ducati, on the other hand, has struggled noticeably at some circuits. With Marc Marquez (200 points) and Fabio di Giannantonio (199), two Ducati riders are still in the running for the world title. However, Ducati test rider Pirro does not expect the overall picture to change dramatically for the rest of the year.

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Marc Marquez liegt in der WM hinter drei Aprilias

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“Nothing will change compared to the first twelve races. So it will more or less go the same way as it did in the early races,” predicted the long-serving Ducati test rider. Nevertheless, he does not expect a clear hierarchy: “We’ll have to take it one race at a time. Every circuit will be a story in its own right.”

Silverstone recently demonstrated just how varied the balance of power can be. Ducati struggled there, whilst Aprilia won the Grand Prix with Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez. “There will be tracks like Silverstone where we’ll have to fight hard. But there will also be tracks where we’ll have fewer problems,” Pirro clarified, looking ahead to the rest of the season.

Ducati riders should not pin their hopes on updates

Given the development freeze, a quick technical response to the difficulties that have recently arisen is not to be expected. “There is no immediate solution to the problems,” explained the Italian, whilst also pointing out the particular situation of the current season: “We must bear in mind that this project is drawing to a close.”

The characteristics of the remaining circuits will therefore be particularly important. Pirro expects Ducati to continue setting the benchmark on suitable tracks. He is particularly optimistic about Aragon. In the past, MotorLand has been one of the Desmosedici’s and world champion Marc Marquez’s favourite circuits.

“I expect us to be the benchmark again in Aragon. Marc could be the benchmark there,” said Pirro. At the following weekend’s race in Misano, however, he expects strong competition from Aprilia and Marco Bezzecchi. “Then comes Misano, where it will be difficult because Bezzecchi is strong. He was already strong there last year. But perhaps it’ll be Marc’s turn,” remarked the Ducati test rider. A week after Misano, the action continues at Spielberg, before the MotoGP circus heads off to Asia. The final race of the season – and also the final race of the 1000cc era – takes place on 29 November in Valencia.

More important than wins: will mistakes decide the World Championship?

This could lead to a balance of power that is heavily dependent on the track in the final part of the 1000cc era. Whilst the manufacturers are already focusing their technical resources on 2027, a rider’s form on the day, track characteristics and, above all, mistakes could play an even bigger role.

Pirro is convinced that this is precisely what could also affect the battle for the World Championship. “Mistakes could decide the World Championship. We’ve seen just how fine the margin is.”

Despite the limited scope for further development, Ducati aims to play a decisive role right up to the season finale. “We hope we can have our say when we arrive in Valencia,” Pirro noted.