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Marc Marquez-Ducati, together ahead: two-year renewal and a future as ambassador, the world project takes shape

Marc Marquez's renewal with Ducati marks a new era in MotoGP, confirming mutual trust and ambitions.

Ultimogiro Newsroom · 12 May 2026 · 3 min read

Graphic: Ultimogiro.net

Ducati tie down Marquez: deal close and a clear strategy to dominate MotoGP

Marc Marquez and Ducati are ready to continue together. Reports from Spain are becoming increasingly concrete and point to a deal that is now close between the Catalan star and the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. Not a simple one-year extension, but a two-year contract that confirms the mutual desire to build a technical and media project destined to shape MotoGP over the next few years.

After months of assessments and internal contacts, Ducati would have decided to place a firm bet on the eight-time world champion, who is now considered a central figure both in the development of the Desmosedici and in the international growth of the brand.

The feeling between Marquez and the red team, after all, has been evident from the very first approach. The Spanish rider has rediscovered competitiveness, serenity and, above all, that technical confidence which seemed lost in the last few years spent at Honda.

Marquez finds himself again: Ducati has restored his confidence and competitiveness

The feeling in the paddock is that the real Marc Marquez is back. The Spaniard has hinted at this several times in recent statements released during race weekends, underlining how the Ducati project has allowed him to ride naturally again.

After the long period marked by injuries and technical difficulties, Marquez has regained consistency and aggression on track. Elements that have convinced Ducati to turn what initially seemed like a short-term challenge into a long-term strategic investment.

According to the latest reports, the new agreement would provide for a two-season duration without hybrid formulae or automatic renewals. A precise choice, designed to give both sides stability and build a clear technical programme around the rider.

A clause linked to a possible retirement from racing would also have been inserted into the contract, a solution that would guarantee Marquez flexibility in the final phase of his career.

Ducati bets on MotoGP's leading figure

At Borgo Panigale, they are not looking only at the results on track. Marquez's arrival has brought back a media centrality to MotoGP that had been missing for some time, and Ducati is fully aware of the global impact of the Spanish champion.

The decision to continue together also stems from strategic and commercial needs. Marquez is one of the most recognisable faces in world sport, and Ducati wants to link its brand to a figure capable of generating attention well beyond the paddock.

For this reason, discussions are said to have also covered a future role as brand ambassador after the end of his racing career. A path that would allow Ducati to maintain its bond with the rider even away from the track, turning him into an international face of the brand.

The relationship with Bagnaia and managing a star-studded pits

Marquez's possible renewal inevitably opens up new scenarios within the Ducati pits too. The coexistence with Pecco Bagnaia remains one of the most delicate issues in modern MotoGP.

On one side there is the rider who brought the world title back to Borgo Panigale, on the other one of the most dominant talents of the last decade. Two strong personalities, two absolute references in the category, destined to fight for victories and internal leadership.

In recent months, however, both Bagnaia and Marquez have maintained a calm tone. The Spaniard has spoken several times about the importance of working in harmony with the team, while the Italian champion has described Marquez's presence as a fundamental stimulus to raise the competitive level even further.

Behind the diplomatic statements, though, there remains the feeling that Ducati is managing one of the strongest and most high-profile pairings in recent MotoGP history.

Marquez-Ducati, the renewal can open a new winning cycle

The possible two-year deal between Marc Marquez and Ducati represents much more than a simple signature. It is the symbol of a MotoGP that continues to revolve around great champions and projects built to dominate over time.

Ducati wants to remain the technical benchmark of the category and sees Marquez as a key piece in maintaining its advantage over its rivals. The Catalan rider, meanwhile, has rediscovered a competitive bike and an environment capable of bringing out the best in him after difficult years.

If the deal is closed in the coming weeks, the paddock would witness the confirmation of an alliance destined to profoundly influence the balance of the MotoGP World Championship. And at that point, for the rivals, beating the Marquez-Ducati pairing could become even more difficult.

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Standings

  1. 193Marc MarquezDucati · Ducati Lenovo TeamES399Leader
  2. 289Jorge MartinAprilia · Aprilia RacingES355−44
  3. 372Marco BezzecchiAprilia · Aprilia RacingIT332−67
  4. 437Pedro AcostaKTM · Red Bull KTM Factory RacingES295−104
  5. 579Ai OguraAprilia · SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP TeamJP278−121

2026 season · After round 19 of 22 · Updated 1 Nov · Source: MotoGP.com

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Marc Marquez Ducati MotoGP renewal: deal close | Ultimogiro