Ducati’s start to the season has been more challenging than expected. Davide Tardozzi doesn’t mincehis words: Aprilia has improved significantly, the Desmosedici is playing catch-up, and Marc Marquez, a key figure in the project, isn’t yet in peak condition.
Speaking to Sky TV, the Ducati team manager starts with the Spaniard: “In my opinion, Marc isn’t 100% yet—and he gives a concrete example from the race —When he passed Raul Fernandez and caught up to Pecco and Bastianini, he gained eight-tenths in 5-6 laps. This means that when he’s in healthy shape, he’s capable of staying up front. But Marquez is Marquez.”
The Marquez issue: “He’s not well; the crash is still weighing on him”
Tardozzi avoids giving precise figures on the Spaniard’s physical condition, but the message is crystal clear.
“If you ask me for a percentage… it’s like rolling the dice. I can’t say, but I’m sure he’s not in good shape.”
He’s referring to last year’s crash, when he was rear-ended by Marco Bezzecchi.
“Unfortunately, what happened in Indonesia is still having consequences. He’s not back to normal yet.”
A detail that also explains certain images seen in the paddock, with Marquez constantly moving his shoulder and seeking relief before getting on the bike.
Ducati in trouble: tyre wear and reliance on the rear
But the problem isn’t just Marquez. The other riders have also shown clear limitations.
“Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia clearly stated that they couldn’t manage the rear tyre. They were too dependent on the rear, wear was too high—especially on the right shoulder—and at a certain point, they could no longer ride.”
An important technical indicator, highlighting a Ducati that is less effective than in the past.
The Aprilia surge: “They’ve made an impressive leap”
The comparison with Aprilia is inevitable, and Tardozzi acknowledges it without mincinghis words.
“Aprilia has improved tremendously. Looking at the data between last year and this year, they’ve gained seven or eight tenths. We’ve gained one or two—and he adds— It’s an impressive increase. They have strong riders, like us, but we need to hurry up.”
Then a direct appeal to Borgo Panigale.
“We expect something from the engineers. I’m sure Gigi is the first one who isn’t happy with this situation. We need to work on it and hope to bring something to the table as early as Jerez.”
“It’s not over”: Ducati still believes in the title
Despite the difficult moment, Tardozzi isn’t making a big deal out of it.
“There are still 19 races left; nothing is lost, even if it seems like we’re playing catch-up right now. Aprilia has made a huge leap—hats off to them. But we have a chance to get back into the championship.”
According to Tardozzi, however, the standings don’t reflect Ducati’s true potential.
“This isn’t who we are. It’s true that we’re no longer the dominant bike of recent years, but we’re not the one you see in the standings today either— then he went into further detail— There have been unfortunate incidents, like in Thailand, where Marc would have made the podium without the rear-tyre issue.”
But be warned: no excuses.
“I don’t like to talk about bad luck, neither for us nor for others. We just have to work.”
And he identified a key point: “We need to be more careful in our management and better understand what the riders need. There have been situations that didn’t put them in the best conditions.”