Ducati's reign in MotoGP might be facing its biggest test yet, according to former world champion Alex Criville. The Italian manufacturer has dominated the paddock since 2020 and swept every title in 2025, but cracks are starting to show—and they're not sure which bike is actually their best.
The 2024 Desmosedici was a masterpiece, racking up 16 wins from 20 races and cementing itself as one of the greatest bikes ever built. But the GP25? That's a different story. Riders like Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio have complained about feedback issues, while those still riding last year's GP24 look far more comfortable. Franco Morbidelli has also joined the chorus of concerns as he wrestles with the new machine.
Here's the twist: Ducati doesn't hand out upgrades to everyone at once. In MotoGP, only the factory team and Pramac Racing get the latest bike straight away. The other three satellite teams stick with the previous year's model until a mid-season update rolls around—if it comes at all. This staggered approach has sparked debates across the paddock: is the GP24 actually better than the GP25?
Early signs point to yes. The GP25 has struggled to replicate the magic of its predecessor, and it took until the Jerez round for Alex Marquez to secure Ducati's first win of the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Aprilia has emerged as the standout team, putting pressure on the Bologna giants.
Marc Marquez, now riding for Ducati, hasn't landed a Sunday podium finish this year—partly due to ongoing fitness issues. But Criville believes the problem runs deeper. "Marc Marquez is struggling," he told Mundo Deportivo. "The consistency isn't there anymore. Ducati has clear questions about which bike configuration they should be backing."
With nine bikes on the grid compared to Yamaha and Aprilia's two, Ducati still has numbers on its side. But if the early form is anything to go by, we could be in for a much tighter championship fight than usual. For fans and riders alike, the big question remains: which Desmosedici is truly the best?