Yes, that’s true, very true. Ducati grants its riders complete freedom. The Qatar Grand Prix in Losail stands as the clearest proof for every rider in Doha. With its signature Borgo Panigale weapons, Ducati can even challenge rivals from other brands.
That freedom translated into a moment of personal triumph for a young Italian rider. Fabio Di Giannantonio, a 25-year-old from Rome, will, perhaps reluctantly, inherit a Ducati next year as Marc Márquez joins the Gresini Racing team. On Qatar night, he secured his first MotoGP victory, a win that places him in a position to challenge for higher rankings in the current season and beyond. Alberto Puig, team manager of Repsol Honda, had earlier managed to secure Márquez, outpacing Italian riders like Luca Marini. The victory tonight came after a bold move, with Di Giannantonio breaking away with four laps to go to seal the win.
Martin, tenth
Today’s Doha test featured three standout performers. First, Jorge Martín, riding for Ducati, had a particularly rough start after a disappointing qualifying, finding no grip as the race wore on. His rear tire proved troublesome, and he couldn’t recover, finishing in tenth place and slipping 14 points behind Bagnaia, who would otherwise have taken a more decisive lead in Valencia.
The second notable figure was the world champion Pecco Bagnaia, who demonstrated his remarkable consistency once again. He kept his composure after a tough Saturday, built a robust pace in the long run, and faced off against the strong challenge from Di Giannantonio. Bagnaia managed to hold second place, resisting the late pressure as the race unfolded, even after Di Giannantonio briefly overtook him with four laps remaining.
Last but not least, Di Giannantonio emerged as a true star of the night. It was clear that the Italian champion Fausto Gresini would not be entering his former team in these final legs, yet the world Cup results during the Qatar night race proved his potential for a full MotoGP grid spot. Di Giannantonio’s victory speech was clear and controlled: this win is for those who never believed in him, and his determination was palpable as he crossed the finish line.
Bagnaia’s clear favorite
Since the Catalan Grand Prix, Bagnaia has shown a strong comeback, with Martín pressing hard throughout the weekends. The World Championship moves to Valencia with two minor titles already decided in the hands of Spaniards Jaume Masià and Pedro Acosta. Bagnaia holds a 21-point lead over Martín, with 37 points still available across the remaining races. The weekend schedule offers 12 points on Saturday and 25 more on Sunday, leaving everything to play for.
Bagnaia’s six overall victories in long races this season—including Portugal, Jerez, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Indonesia—contrast with Martín’s four wins in Germany, San Marino, Japan, and Thailand. In the sprint races, Ducati’s Madrid native Bagnaia led with relentless pace, securing victories in France, Germany, San Marino, India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Qatar, while the team also noted wins in Turin for additional teams. The season’s narrative remains open, with both riders pushing for championship glory and Ducati aiming to convert raw speed into steady, title-contending performance.